Gatchalian: Due Process, Fair Play Key in VP Duterte Impeachment Trial

Senate President Sherwin Gatchalian on Monday underscored the importance of due process and fair play at every stage of the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte. In his opening statement as the impeachment trial commenced, Gatchalian said every decision that the senator-judges should make must be based solely on the Constitution, the laws, the rules of the impeachment court, and the evidence presented, without any bias. "Impeachment is the constitutional mechanism that holds the highest public officials of the Republic accountable to the people. We cannot achieve accountability, nor can we faithfully serve justice, without the truth," the Senate President said. "Due process and fair play must remain paramount at every stage of this trial. Let us be firm in the search for truth. And let us remain faithful to the rules of this Court, the Rule of Law, and above all, the Constitution," he added. Gatchalian also emphasized that as senator-judges, they must weigh all the evidence presented by both sides. He said both the prosecution and the defense teams will be given ample and fair opportunity to present evidence, examine, question witnesses, and give their respective arguments. "Karapatan ng sambayanan na malaman kung may katotohanan ang mga paratang laban sa Pangalawang Pangulo. Tungkulin nating timbangin ang mga ebidensyang ihaharap at tiyaking ang ating magiging pasya ay nakabatay lamang sa batas at sa mga katotohanang mapatutunayan sa paglilitis," he said. (It is the right of the people to know whether there is truth to the allegations against the Vice President. It's our duty to weigh the evidence presented and ensure that our decision is based solely on the law and on facts proven during the proceedings.) Likewise, Gatchalian said it is the duty of senator-judges to ensure that the rights of each party are respected, including that of Duterte. "Kasabay ng paghahanap sa katotohanan ang tungkulin nating tiyaking iginagalang ang mga karapatan ng bawat panig, lalo na ang karapatan ng respondent Vice President sa isang patas at makatarungang paglilitis," he said. (Alongside our pursuit of truth is our duty to ensure that the rights of each party are respected—especially the respondent Vice President's right to a fair and just trial.) Gatchalian also committed that he will perform his duty fairly and with honesty, encouraging his fellow senators to do the same. "Magalang kong hinihikayat ang bawat senator-judge, nawa'y tuparin natin ang ating tungkulin nang may dangal at pananagutan sa ating Konstitusyon, upang maging karapat-dapat tayo sa tiwalang ipinagkaloob sa atin ng sambayanang Pilipino," he continued. (I respectfully call on every senator-judge to fulfill our duty with honor and responsibility to our Constitution, so that we may be worthy of the trust bestowed upon us by the Filipino people.) — VDV, GMA News