Batangas 2nd District Representative Gerville Luistro addressed an appeal made by Senator Robin Padilla during Wednesday’s impeachment proceedings against Vice President Sara Duterte, explaining why expecting the prosecution panel to be neutral misunderstands the nature of the trial.
During the high-stakes hearing, Padilla questioned the credibility of the prosecution panel’s witnesses and made a statement that became a central highlight of the day’s proceedings:
”Sana hindi one-sided ang ating prosecution,” (I hope our prosecution is not one-sided,) Padilla remarked.
Luistro, who serves as the lead prosecutor for the House panel, chose not to address Padilla’s statement directly on the Senate floor out of respect for the senator.
However, during a post-trial press conference, she responded with a smile when asked about the comment, pointing out that an impeachment trial is inherently an adversarial process.
”With all due respect kay Senator-judge Robin Padilla no, apparently this impeachment trial is adversarial. Maliwanag yun,” (With all due respect to Senator-judge Robin Padilla, apparently this impeachment trial is adversarial. That is clear,) Luistro explained.
”Kaya mayroon prosecution, it’s to establish the case. Kaya may defense, is to defend the innocence of the respondent, no?” (The reason there is a prosecution is to establish the case. The reason there is a defense is to defend the innocence of the respondent, right?) she added.
”So it is very much anticipated that the prosecution is biased toward presenting the case, presenting the evidence, no?” (So it is very much anticipated that the prosecution is biased toward presenting the case, presenting the evidence, right?)
Highlighting the fundamental role of prosecutors in judicial proceedings, Luistro noted how unusual the alternative would be:
”Siguro mas nakakapagtaka pag naging neutral ang prosecution, at lalong nakakapagtaka kung ide-defend namin yung respondent, no?” (Perhaps it would be more puzzling if the prosecution became neutral, and even more puzzling if we were to defend the respondent, right?)
Luistro began to add another comment, starting with “So…”, before stopping herself and bowing her head with a laugh. Sitting alongside her at the briefing, private prosecutor Lorna Kapunan remarked, “I think Cong Jinkee is very diplomatic with her answer”.