Manila: The first week of Vice President Sara Duterte's impeachment trial on the article alleging grave threats ended with the prosecution and defense clashing over motions, objections, and witness testimony.
According to Philippines News Agency, despite the courtroom exchanges over the three-day proceedings, the House prosecution panel described the week as a positive start, arguing that the outcome of the trial will ultimately depend on the strength of the evidence rather than courtroom victories. Speaking at a press conference after the third day of trial on Wednesday night, House impeachment prosecutor and San Juan City Rep. Ysabel Maria Zamora said the prosecution is satisfied with how it has presented its case.
'No, I wouldn't say that, but I would say that it was a good week for the prosecution,' Zamora said when asked whether the prosecution had gained momentum in the impeachment trial. Former Surigao del Norte Rep. Robert Ace Barbers, an impeachment adviser and spokesperson for the prosecution panel, also urged the public not to draw conclusions at this early stage of the proceedings. 'Umpisa pa lang naman ng 'boxing,' ika nga. Kumbaga kung sa basketball, first quarter pa lang ito (It's only the start of 'boxing,' so they say. Like in basketball, it's only in the first quarter),' Barbers said.
House impeachment prosecutor and 1-Rider Party-list Rep. Rodge Gutierrez echoed the same view, saying public discussion has increasingly treated the proceedings as a contest in which lawyers earn points based on sustained motions or objections. 'In addition to that, and I think we've noticed that since Day 1, like if we look at public perception, naging tally na 'yung nangyayari dito, nagbibilangan ng puntos kumbaga (what's happening here already became a tally, like points are being counted),' Gutierrez said. 'But I think it's very important to remember that this is not the process - the whole process of impeachment trial.'
Gutierrez said the trial should instead be judged by the quality of the arguments, the relevance of the questions, and whether the evidence and testimony withstand direct and cross-examination. He stressed that only the senator-judges can determine whether the prosecution has successfully established that evidentiary foundation. 'As to whether or not that was achieved for the prosecution this week, we cannot say. Of course, that's on the merits, and it's up to our senator-judges. We don't want to, we wouldn't want to say anything that would tend to prejudge the case, but all we can say is that, like Attorney Zamora, like Cong. Zamora said, it was a good week for the prosecution,' he added.
The prosecution panel also addressed public attention to the frequent objections raised during Wednesday's cross-examination of its first witness after Presiding Officer Senator Chiz Escudero remarked that private prosecutor Amando Virgil Ligutan appeared 'frustrated.' Zamora said objections are a routine part of any trial and should not be interpreted as signs of frustration or weakness. 'In any court case, in any trial, nangyayari naman po yan talaga (this really happens) between lawyers. Siguro gusto namin din ipaalam sa lahat na ang isang trial hindi napapanalunan sa dami ng mga motion mong nag-grant ng judge o ng justice (Perhaps we want to show to everyone that a trial is not won by the number of your motions granted by the judge or justice),' she said, adding that the proceedings are not a contest decided by points.
What matters is presenting evidence clearly and effectively, she said, noting that objections from opposing counsel are expected during direct and cross-examinations. Zamora also pointed out that the defense raised numerous objections during the second day of the trial, saying both sides were simply fulfilling their duties as lawyers. Asked whether Ligutan had become frustrated, Zamora replied, 'Well, Atty. Ligutan is a seasoned lawyer. Kulang pa po 'yan, sabi nga nila, sa kanilang ginagawa (That is still not enough, as they said, compared to what they're doing) in a normal case.' Gutierrez agreed, saying objections are part of the legal process because lawyers are duty-bound to protect their clients' interests.
The impeachment trial formally opened on July 6, with the court resolving pending pre-trial motions, electing a presiding officer, and hearing the opening statements of both the prosecution and the defense. The first 11 trial dates have been allotted to Article IV of the articles of impeachment, which accuses Duterte of committing impeachable offenses through her public threats against President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos, and former Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez, before proceedings move to the remaining articles.
Following the testimony of National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) senior agent John Mark Calilung, the prosecution is expected to present NBI Regional Director Jeremy Lotoc on Monday, Office of the Vice President Chief of Staff lawyer Zuleika Lopez on Tuesday, and House of Representatives Office of the Sergeant-at-Arms Capt. Belinda Bello on Wednesday next week.
