Chiz calls for civility in impeach proceedings
MANILA, Philippines — Senate impeachment court presiding officer Francis Escudero urged the public and concerned parties to let “civility” prevail over hotheads as Vice President Sara Duterte’s impeachment trial entered its 33rd day yesterday.
Escudero opened yesterday’s hearing with a quote from the late US Justice Sandra Day O’Connor: “The justice system cannot function effectively when the professionals charged with administering it cannot even be polite to one another.”
He did not indicate who he was referring to.
Escudero called for respect and civility even as the public and concerned parties are already getting impatient with the pace of the trial, while also vouching for the need to serve justice even if it means taking the long route.
“The chair understands that patience is wearing thin, tensions are running high and tempers are beginning to fray. But we must not lose sight of our common purpose. Our duty is not to prevail over one another, but to assist this court in the fair and orderly administration of justice,” Escudero said.
He reminded lawyers from both prosecution and defense of their code of conduct that “requires every lawyer to deal with fellow members of the Bar with courtesy, civility, fairness and candor.”
Addressing “non-lawyers” or interested parties in the trial, Escudero stressed the need to be civil to each other: “Disagreement may be vigorous and criticism unsparing, but no cause is strengthened by contempt. No institution is preserved by conduct, by conduct rather that strips another person of his or her dignity.
“Let the arguments be forceful, but never personal. Let the contest be exacting, but never degrading. And when these proceedings are concluded, let it be the law not anger, not pride, nor applause, be the final word,” he added. Escudero said the impeachment court would continue hearing the evidence so it could render fair judgment, and that it would “not be distracted nor detracted by the rantings or tantrums of anyone inside or outside this courtroom.”
“Because at the end of the day, it’s not about me, it’s not about you, it’s not about any one of us here. Rather, it is about the country, our people, accountability, justice and fairness,” Escudero added.
The House prosecution reiterated yesterday its inclination to drop the bribery charges against Duterte, which constitutes Article III of the impeachment complaints.
“The panel will state its position formally before the Senate impeachment court. Our responsibility remains clear: to follow the evidence and bring a focused, well-supported case to its conclusion. That responsibility guides every decision we make,” lead prosecutor Batangas Rep. Gerville Luistro said.
“We said from the very start that we would not drag out this impeachment trial, and we stand by that commitment. Filipinos have waited long enough for answers. Every hearing day must move the case forward,” she stressed.
Meanwhile, the Senate impeachment court reprimanded spokesman Reginald Tongol for last week’s comments regarding a possible Dec. 16 trial verdict, yet Escudero came to his defense, saying the verdict date was based on the impeachment timeline in the pre-trial order.
Sen. Raffy Tulfo called for the reprimand, noting that Escudero had previously warned both prosecution and defense counsels.
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