A fair decision on the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte-Carpio – one that is based on evidence – will bring much-needed stability to the country, Senator-Judge Panfilo “Ping” M. Lacson said Saturday.
Lacson made the statement in response to a question from organizers of the Philippine Constitution Association (Philconsa)’s 65th anniversary celebration in Makati City, on what kind of decision would help bring stability to the country’s politics and democracy.
In Filipino: Lacson: Makatarungan, Evidence-Based na Desisyon sa Impeachment Trial Para sa Katatagan ng Bansa
“A fair decision will bring stability to the country… As long as the decision is fair and based on evidence as presented without any political color, then it will bring stability to the country,” he said.
But Lacson pointed out that the trial has not reached the stage for a decision, because the defense has yet to present its side.
“Hindi pa complete, kasi the defense has not yet presented their evidence. We only hear one side of the story. We need to hear the other side (It is not yet complete. The defense has not presented its evidence. We only hear one side of the story. We need to hear the other side),” he said.
Lacson previously stressed that speeding up the proceedings should mean maximizing the limited hearing time, not compromising the presentation of evidence.
For Lacson, any eventual decision should be guided by the Constitution and the evidence presented during the trial, rather than political considerations or public opinion.
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Lacson: Makatarungan, Evidence-Based na Desisyon sa Impeachment Trial Para sa Katatagan ng Bansa
Ang isang makatarungang desisyon sa impeachment trial ni Vice President Sara Duterte-Carpio na batay sa ebidensya ay makatutulong upang magkaroon ng kinakailangang katatagan ang bansa, ayon kay Senator-Judge Panfilo “Ping” M. Lacson nitong Sabado.
Sinabi ito ni Lacson bilang tugon sa tanong ng mga organizer ng 65th anniversary celebration ng Philippine Constitution Association (Philconsa) sa Makati City kung anong uri ng desisyon ang makatutulong upang magkaroon ng katatagan sa politika at demokrasya ng bansa.
“A fair decision will bring stability to the country… As long as the decision is fair and based on evidence as presented without any political color, then it will bring stability to the country,” aniya.
Ngunit binigyang-diin ni Lacson na hindi pa umabot sa yugto ng pagdedesisyon ang paglilitis dahil hindi pa naihaharap ng depensa ang panig nito.
“Hindi pa complete, kasi the defense has not yet presented their evidence. We only hear one side of the story. We need to hear the other side,” aniya.
Nauna nang binigyang-diin ni Lacson na ang pagpapabilis sa mga paglilitis ay dapat mangahulugan ng mas mahusay na paggamit sa limitadong oras ng pagdinig, hindi ng pagsasakripisyo sa maayos na paglalahad ng ebidensya.
Para kay Lacson, ang anumang magiging desisyon sa huli ay dapat nakabatay sa Konstitusyon at sa mga ebidensyang iniharap sa panahon ng paglilitis, sa halip na sa mga konsiderasyong pulitikal o opinyon ng publiko.
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