Former presidential legal counsel Salvador Panelo has called on Senator Francis “Chiz” Escudero to remain neutral and focus on uncovering the truth as he oversees the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte.
Speaking in an interview on DZRH, Panelo underscored the heavy responsibility placed on the trial’s leader, offering clear guidance on how the proceedings should be handled.
”Ang suggestion ko diyan sa president officer [Sen. Chiz Escudero], huwag siyang maging bias. Kailangan mag-aral siyang mabuti sa pagprepreside. Kailangan hanapin niya ang katotohanan,” Panelo said.
According to Panelo, the credibility of the trial is already in jeopardy due to the visible inclinations of the leadership.
”‘Yan ang problema kapag ang presiding officer either hindi marunong magpreside or inilalabas niya ang kulay nang maaga pa,” he remarked.
When asked if he felt Escudero was demonstrating favoritism, Panelo responded, “Obvious naman ‘yun,” pointing out that objections raised by the defense are being repeatedly shot down.
The veteran lawyer specifically took issue with the decision to let the prosecution proceed with its opening presentation while defense objections were still pending resolution.
Panelo explained that ordering statements to be removed from the record later does little to undo the initial impact.
”Ito namang presiding officer sa halip na i-grant yung objection ay pinayagan pa magsalita [‘yung prosecution]…Kahit na i-strike out mo ‘yan useless. Eh narinig na. Kaya nagkaroon ng propaganda,” he argued.
Panelo also took aim at the impeachment court’s current procedures, particularly a rule that restricts senator-judges to just two minutes when interrogating witnesses.
He argued that such time constraints severely limit the search for facts.
”Tanggalin na ‘yong rules na 2 minutes. Kalokohan ‘yan. Hindi mo makikita ang katotohanan sa 2 minutes,” Panelo stated. “Kaya dapat walang limit ang mga justices. Otherwise useless ang ano niyo…2 minutes ag pagtatanong?… Paano mo matatanong yuung gusto mo matanong? Tsaka ililimit pa hindi ka pa pwede magtanong.”
Comparing the proceedings to standard practices in the Supreme Court or the Sandiganbayan, Panelo emphasized that exhaustive questioning is essential and should not be compromised for speed.
”Hindi pupwedeng paiksiin ang impeachment… Kailangan sundin mo yung rules. Hindi pupwede na i-shoshorten mo ‘yung pagkocorss-examination… Gusto mo makita ang katotohanan, paano mo makikita ang katotohanan kung ishoshort-cut mo ‘yan?” he asked.
In addition to the court’s leadership, Panelo criticized the prosecution team, accusing them of dragging out the trial for media exposure.
”Pwede ba ‘yung prosecution lawyer tigilan mo na ‘yang grandstanding mo. Pambihira itong mga abogado na ito, palibhasa kasi ngayon lang sila na-televise eh. Kaya yung lahat ng mga objection na wala namang katuturan, pati ‘yung pagdirect exmination niyan pinahahaba niya eh, pwede namang shortcut,” he observed.
Despite his strong critiques, Panelo clarified that he is not acting as an adviser to the Vice President’s legal team, preferring instead to remain an independent observer.
“Ay hindi, mas maganda na nasa gitna ka para nakita mo yung dalawang panig. At nagbibigay ka ng obserbasyon sa kanila,” he concluded.