Nakahingang nang malalim ang ilang mambabatas dahil uusad na umano ang matagal nang naantalang impeachment trial ni Vice President Sara Duterte, matapos ianunsyo ni Senate President Alan Peter Cayetano na magko-convene ang Senado bilang impeachment court sa May 18.
Tinanggap ni Manila 3rd District Rep. Joel Chua, isa sa House prosecutors, ang development at sinabing senyales ito na susunod na ang proseso sa mandatong “forthwith” sa ilalim ng 1987 Constitution.
“There appears to be consensus among the new Senate majority that the impeachment trial should finally proceed. That is welcome news to us in the House Prosecution Team,” ani Chua.
“We simply want a fair opportunity to present the Articles of Impeachment, prosecute the case, and allow the evidence to be appreciated by the Impeachment Court.”
Nauna nang naipadala ng House of Representatives sa Senate ang Articles of Impeachment matapos bumoto ang 257 lawmakers para muling i-impeach si Duterte.
Sakop ng charges ang alleged misuse ng P612.5 million confidential funds, unexplained wealth, bribery, at threats laban kina President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos, at former Speaker Martin Romualdez.
“With the Senate expected to convene as an Impeachment Court on May 18, we are preparing accordingly and are ready to fulfill our constitutional duty as prosecutors,” sabi ni Chua.
Ayon kay Chua, ang Senate trial ang magiging forum para mailatag ng prosecution at ng kampo ni Duterte ang kani-kanilang ebidensya at argumento sa harap ng senator-judges.
“We believe the senator-judges likewise want the opportunity to hear the side of the twice-impeached Vice President Duterte and to examine the evidence that the House Prosecution Team will present before the Impeachment Court,” ani Chua.
Sinabi rin niya na walang indikasyon mula sa Supreme Court na may agarang haharang sa proceedings.
“We also note that the Supreme Court has not been inclined to issue TROs (temporary restraining orders) in recent related matters. That gives us confidence that the constitutional process is being allowed to move forward,” sabi niya.
Naghahanda na rin umano ang House prosecution panel ng motions, witnesses, documentary evidence, at counter-arguments bago ang Senate trial.
“We shall proceed one day at a time, one step at a time,” ani Chua.
Makikipagtulungan din ang prosecution team sa private prosecutors at experts sa constitutional law, auditing, financial forensics, corporate law, at finance. /Bistado