Gatchalian: Public should monitor Duterte impeachment trial for accountability

Senate President Sherwin Gatchalian on Sunday urged the public to monitor the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte to ensure accountability. “Itong impeachment trial part ng ating proseso sa pananagutan o accountability, at ito ay importanteng proseso para masigurado natin na ang mga institusyon ay gumagana at hindi maulit ‘yung mga ganitong hindi magandang gawain ng lingkod bayan, so napakahalagang masundan ng ating kababayan itong proseso na ito,” Gatchalian told Super Radyo dzBB. (This impeachment trial is part of our accountability process, and it is an important mechanism to ensure that our institutions are functioning properly and that misconduct by public officials is not repeated. That is why our countrymen need to follow these proceedings.) The House of Representatives impeached Duterte in May over allegations of culpable violation of the Constitution, graft and corruption, bribery, betrayal of public trust, and other high crimes. On June 1, Duterte’s camp filed its answer to the Articles of Impeachment and asked the impeachment court to dismiss the case. Gatchalian said the Senate impeachment court will tackle the proceedings in layman's terms so the public can easily understand the discussions during the trial. “As much as possible, i-laymanize natin ’yung gagawin nating simple at maintindihan ng taong-bayan ’ yung proseso dahil ginagawa natin ito para sa kanila para maintindihan nila,” the senator said. (As much as possible, we will explain the proceedings in layman's terms and keep them simple so the public can understand the process. We are doing this so they can understand.) “Lahat naman nag-a-agree na sa madaling panahon ay matatapos dahil nga marami tayong ginagawa at hindi lang naman ito ginagawa ng Senado, ‘yung budget, yung batas, investigations, at iba pa,” he added. (Everyone agrees that this will be completed as soon as possible because we already have many ongoing tasks. The Senate is not only handling this but also working on the budget, legislation, investigations, and other matters.) Preparing for posible scenarios Gatchalian also shared that the Senate is preparing for all possible scenarios during the impeachment proceedings, including events that may occur involving Senator Rodante Marcoleta that could include protest actions. “Pinaghahandaan ‘yung possible scenarios, but I don’t want to discuss dahil may mga remedies pa siyang (Marcoleta) na pwedeng gamitin. Pero lahat ng scenarios, kasama na dito ‘yung paghahanda sa mga rallies,” Gatchalian said. (We are prepared for all possible scenarios, but I do not want to discuss them because Marcoleta still has remedies that he can use. However, all scenarios are being considered, including preparations for rallies.) On Friday, the Office of the Ombudsman filed a plunder case against Marcoleta before the Sandiganbayan over the P75 million in campaign contributions that he received ahead of the 2025 senatorial elections but which were not declared in his Statement of Campaign Expenditures. P/Colonel Allen Rae Co, Philippine National Police Public Information Office Chief, said if Marcoleta’s arrest warrant is issued while he is within the Senate premises, authorities will coordinate with Senate leadership. Meanwhile, Pasay City authorities will close a stretch of Diokno Boulevard near the Senate premises during the impeachment trial. The temporary closure on Diokno Boulevard covers the northbound and southbound lanes from Seaside Boulevard to Atang dela Rama Street. Intersections along this segment will also be closed as part of security measures. The traffic plan will take effect starting Monday, July 6, and will be enforced every Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday from 7 a.m. until 7 p.m. —RF, GMA News