House prosecution panel member and Iloilo 3rd District Representative Lorenz Defensor commended Senator Francis “Chiz” Escudero for maintaining impartiality as the presiding officer in the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte.
The praise came on the heels of the July 7 court proceedings, during which the defense counsel’s multiple objections were consistently shot down by the court.
“Maganda ang pagpapatakbo ni Senate presiding officer Chiz Escudero. It was very fair at nabigyan ng pagkakataong mailabas ang ebidensya sa tamang pamamaraan,” Defensor remarked.
In trial procedures, a presiding officer “overrules” an objection when they reject a party’s argument, whereas “sustaining” it means they agree with it.
Because the court repeatedly ruled in favor of the prosecution during Tuesday’s session, panel spokesperson and Lanao del Sur 1st District Representative Zia Alonto Adiong hailed the outcome as a major “victory.”
Expressing satisfaction with how the evidentiary phase kicked off, Defensor highlighted the orderly flow of the session.
“Mahusay ang first day of presentation of evidence dahil una, natuloy na ang trial at nasunod ang proseso sa tamang pamamaraan.”
Tuesday’s hearing marked the second day of the overall impeachment trial and the official start of the prosecution’s layout of evidence against the Vice President.