Senator Pia Cayetano on Wednesday, September 16, expressed concern over what she described as fear and pressure as some members of the Senate minority face legal cases while the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte proceeds.
Cayetano raised the issue during proceedings where senator-judges listened to the views of four retired Supreme Court justices on the constitutional requirement for securing a conviction in an impeachment case.
She pointed out that several senator-judges have been unable to take part in the trial.
Senators Jinggoy Estrada and Rodante Marcoleta are detained in connection with separate plunder cases, while Senator Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa remains in hiding following an arrest warrant issued by the International Criminal Court (ICC) over alleged crimes related to the Duterte administration’s drug war.
Cayetano also questioned reports that officials of the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) were monitoring her movements after she traveled to Singapore to support a Philippine national sports team.
“I went to Singapore to support a national team, and then I have to hear the NBI director making statements that make it appear that I’m a common fugitive, na na-monitor niya kung nasaan ako at meron siyang information kung anong araw ako babalik. Am I a fugitive? Bakit may ganito?” Cayetano said.
She said the circumstances had caused her to worry about her personal liberty and her ability to freely express herself in the Senate.
“I will tell you all now, am I pressured? I am. I am. I fear for my liberty. Even in the Senate, we have a colleague, na walang katapusang tantanan kami. I fear for my right to speak,” she added.
Cayetano also raised the possibility of recusing herself from issues connected to the impeachment proceedings, while stressing the importance of the existing requirement for a conviction.
“So, what will happen now? Do I excuse myself? Pero kung hindi gagalawin ‘yang number na iyan eh di nakakapagsalita tayo rito nang maayos,” she said.
Her remark appeared to refer to Senator Francis “Chiz” Escudero’s earlier ruling that 16 affirmative votes, representing two-thirds of the 24-member Senate, are required to convict under the 1987 Constitution.
Cayetano and her brother, Senate Minority Leader Alan Peter Cayetano, traveled to Singapore on September 9 and returned to the Philippines on September 12.
The Bureau of Immigration said neither senator was subject to a hold departure order or had a derogatory record that would have prevented them from leaving the country.
The remarks came as the impeachment court continued considering the disputed voting threshold, with retired members of the Supreme Court providing their perspectives on the constitutional provision governing conviction in impeachment proceedings.