PASAY CITY — Senate Minority Leader Alan Peter Cayetano has called on his fellow senators to carefully and fairly evaluate the House prosecution panel’s withdrawal of three Articles of Impeachment against Vice President Sara Duterte.
During the 39th day of the trial, Cayetano emphasized the necessity of upholding due process and safeguarding the Constitution, warning that handling the withdrawal improperly could set a dangerous legal precedent.
He drew a sharp line between dropping charges before presenting evidence and doing so after testimonies and documents have already been put on record.
The senator-judge criticized the move to withdraw charges after the prosecution utilized state resources for 38 days, arguing it unjustly denies the defense panel an opportunity to counter the allegations.
“You could have started with the ill-gotten wealth and stopped there. But you chose to spend 38 days. So, in terms of boxing, you rushed to punch the defense (panel), then say, ‘to save time, don’t retaliate’,” Cayetano pointed out.
While acknowledging past precedents like the impeachment trial of former Chief Justice Renato Corona, Cayetano noted that those articles were dropped before formal evidence reached the court. In contrast, the current proceedings saw extensive presentations from the prosecution before the withdrawal requests.
Cayetano underscored that the trial involves more than just a final verdict, as it directly impacts the Vice President’s public reputation and fundamental right to defend herself.
“It’s not only the legal consequences, meaning acquitted or convicted, but also the reputation of the vice president and her right to a fair hearing, a fair trial, by being able to present their own evidence,” he said.
He also dismissed the notion that online platforms or press conferences could substitute for a formal courtroom defense, noting their inability to issue compulsory subpoenas for witnesses.
Concluding his manifestation, Cayetano supported giving the defense a chance to reply when the trial resumes on November 9.
“If we follow the Constitution, if there is due process and fairness, then despite the many, many, many legal issues brought up in and out of this impeachment court, then we would have strengthened both our Constitution next year and our democracy,” he said.