A tense exchange flared up during Wednesday’s impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte after Senator Robinhood Padilla questioned the House prosecution panel regarding the credibility of the witnesses being called to testify.
Addressing the impeachment court, Padilla urged the prosecution to refrain from presenting individuals burdened by questionable backgrounds or alleged perjury complaints.
He emphasized the gravity of the proceedings, reminding the panel of the Vice President’s massive mandate.
”The person on trial here was elected by 32 million Filipinos,” Padilla said, urging the prosecution to be more cautious in selecting its witnesses.
Padilla further noted his legislative efforts to enact stricter punishments for perjury, emphasizing that individuals who frequently alter their sworn statements ought to suffer steeper legal penalties.
However, the prosecution panel countered Padilla’s concerns by clarifying that the background checks on their witnesses yielded no active legal impediments.
”With all due respect, we were able to verify already that there are no cases pending against the prosecution witnesses,” she said.
The representative further explained that even a criminal conviction does not legally bar a witness from taking the stand unless the judgment is final, carries a prison sentence exceeding one year, and involves moral turpitude.
In response, Padilla expressed skepticism over the panel’s objectivity.
”Alam niyo po, napakaganda po ng inyong sagot. Sana hindi one-sided ang ating prosecution,” he said.
The “one-sided” remark sparked audible reactions and commotion inside the chamber, forcing Senator Francis “Chiz” Escudero, acting as the presiding officer, to step in and restore decorum.
”The sergeant-at-arms, by authority of the Senate President, is directed to kindly maintain order in the court,” Escudero said.
Addressing the incident in a subsequent press conference, Senate impeachment court spokesperson Atty. Regie Tongol downplayed the disruption, explaining that the prosecution’s reaction stemmed from the nature of their role in the proceedings.
”I think the House Prosecution Panel was just making a gesture lang na sinasabi na ‘Kasi prosecution kami, parang ganun. So talagang may side kami,” Tongol said.