Senator-judges in the impeachment case against Vice President Sara Duterte must behave and speak like judges, as the public will observe their demeanor during the trial, incoming Sen. Panfilo “Ping” M. Lacson said Sunday.
Lacson said this means being impartial, only speaking to clarify statements from the defense or prosecution, and not expressing their personal opinions on the case.
“Our demeanor will be observed by the public. We must always bear in mind that we are senator-judges, not members of the defense or prosecution team,” Lacson said in Filipino, in an interview on DZBB radio.
In Filipino: Ping Lacson sa Kapwa Senator-Judges: Kumilos at Magsalita na Parang Huwes
Also, Lacson reiterated that the Constitution must be the guide of the senator-judges in the impeachment trial.
Lacson said the Constitution is clear that the impeachment trial must “forthwith” proceed, with senator-judges mandated to “try and decide” the case.
“Forthwith. That is what the Constitution mandates. Let’s not be confused by differing interpretations by different sectors. We should stick to the basics – ‘try and decide,’ so let’s try and decide,” Lacson said.
“Senator-judges must behave and speak like judges… Judges ask clarificatory questions if the defense or prosecution does not give a clear reply. It is not the senator-judges’ job to express personal opinions on the case,” he added.
Lacson added the senator-judges should focus on the flow of the evidence and not be distracted by statements of various personalities on the impeachment trial.
“We should have the equivalent of blinders so we will not be distracted by comments on the issues in the trial… In the US, the jury is sequestered and has no contact with the outside world so they can focus on the evidence. That should be our attitude,” he said.
Meanwhile, Lacson said that if the Senate Impeachment Court resolves the motion to dismiss – and actually dismisses the impeachment case without the benefit of a trial, it may risk being overturned by the Supreme Court if the matter is brought there.
Lacson raised this point even as he cited reports that the prosecution team from the House of Representatives may question such a dismissal before the High Court for grave abuse of discretion.
“At the very least, we take the risk of being overturned by the Supreme Court. Nakakahiya yan (That would be very embarrassing),” he said.
He also cited his consultations with some legal experts who indicated that only a decision to convict or acquit is not reviewable or appealable, and this may not apply to a dismissal before the start of the trial.
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Ping Lacson sa Kapwa Senator-Judges: Kumilos at Magsalita na Parang Huwes
Dapat umakto at magsalita tulad ng huwes ang mga senator-judge sa kaso laban kay Vice President Sara Duterte, dahil oobserbahan sila ng publiko habang nagsasagawa sila ng impeachment trial, ayon kay incoming Sen. Panfilo “Ping” M. Lacson ngayong Linggo.
Ayon kay Lacson, nangangahulugan ito na maging patas, at magsasalita lamang kung may lilinawin sa defense at prosecution – at hindi basta-bastang magpahayag ng opinyon sa kaso.
“Oobserbahan kami ng nanonood sa demeanor ng judges. We must always bear in mind we are senator judges, not member ng defense or prosecution team,” aniya sa panayam sa DZBB.
Iginiit din ni Lacson na ang Saligang Batas ang dapat na gawing gabay ng pag-asal ng mga senator-judge sa impeachment trial ng Bise Presidente.
Aniya, malinaw ang Konstitusyon na dapat matuloy “forthwith” ang impeachment trial, at mandato ng mga senator-judge na litisin at magdesisyon sa kaso – at dapat mag-asal at magsalita na parang huwes.
“Forthwith. Yan ang sabi ng Constitution. Huwag lang tayo mag-interpret… gawa ng napakaraming interpretation sa wording ng Saligang Batas, di kami maliligaw eh. Kasi ang masama, each and every word ini-interpret ng kanya=kanyang interpretation. Doon na lang kami, napaka-basic noon, ‘try and decide.’ O e di try and decide,” ani Lacson.
“(Senator-judges must) behave and speak like judges… Ang judge magatatanong ka lang para i-clarify kung di maliwanag ang sagot ng defense or prosecution… Hindi kami mag-e-express ng sariling opinyon tungkol sa takbo ng kaso,” dagdag niya.
Ayon din kay Lacson, dapat tumutok ang mga senator-judge sa takbo ng pagpresenta ng ebidensya, at hindi maabala ng mga sasabihin ng iba’t ibang personalidad tungkol sa impeachment trial.
“Dapat may ‘blinders’ kami diyan, para kaming kabayo, isa ang direction namin… Ang jury sa US naka-sequester sila, walang contact sa outside world doon sila naka-focus para mas ma-appreciate takbo ng evidence. Dapat ganoon ang attitude namin wag pa-distract sa salita ng kung sinuman,” aniya.
Samantala, binanggit ni Lacson na kung niresolbahan ng Senate Impeachment Court ang motion to dismiss at tuluyang ibinasura ang impeachment case laban sa Bise Presidente na walang trial, maaari pa itong baligtarin ng Korte Suprema kung idinulog ito doon.
Ipinunto ito ni Lacson na nagbanggit sa mga ulat na balak kwestyunin ng prosecution team mula sa Kamara ang ganitong aksyon sa Korte Suprema dahil sa diumano’y grave abuse of discretion.
“At the very least, we take the risk of being overturned by the Supreme Court. Nakakahiya yan (That would be very embarrassing),” aniya.
Binanggit din ni Lacson ang pagkonsulta niya sa ilang legal expert, na nagsabing ang desisyon lamang ng impeachment court na mag-convict o mag-acquit ang hindi maaaring ma-review o ma-apela – at hindi ito tulad ng pag-dismiss ng kaso bago magsimula ang trial.
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