By Billy Begas
The House prosecution panel expressed support for a speedy Senate impeachment trial, but stressed that it should not come at the expense of a complete presentation of evidence or due process for both sides.
House prosecution spokespersons Atty. Benjamin Tolosa Jr. and Lanao del Sur Rep. Zia Alonto Adiong issued the statement a day after Vice President Sara Duterte called for speedy impeachment proceedings.
“Doon sa pahayag niya na gusto niyang mapabilis, we don’t see any problem, kasi isa kami sa may kagustuhan na matapos natin itong proseso na ito sa lalong mabilis na panahon,” Tolosa said.
“But of course, iyong speedy disposition of cases, hindi naman ibig sabihin niyan kailangan natin siyang madaliin at the expense of having the opportunity to fully present our case by presenting the evidence that we think are needed,” he added.
The prosecution cut short its presentation of evidence for Article IV, noting that additional testimony would merely repeat matters already established, he said.
The House prosecution panel accuses Duterte of culpable violation of the Constitution, high crimes, and betrayal of public trust when she talked to someone to kill President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., First Lady Liza Araneta Marcos, and former Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez if she herself were killed.
“Again, makikita natin doon sa grave threats, ganyan ang ginawa natin. We dispensed with more than half of our witnesses,” Tolosa said.
Tolosa said the same approach would guide the prosecution’s presentation under Article I on Duterte’s alleged misuse of confidential funds.
“Pati dito sa usapin ng confidential funds, ganyan din ang gagawin namin. We will not present evidence that are not absolutely necessary and will just be cumulative para mapabilis ang proseso,” he added.
Alonto Adiong said no conflict exists between prompt adjudication and the parties’ right to be fully heard.
“Ang promptness and the speedy disposition of the court’s decision can go hand in hand with due process,” the solon said. “As long as it will not compromise the presentation of both panels—not only the prosecution panel but as well as the defense—wala naman pong problema.
Alonto Adiong also renewed calls for Duterte to attend the trial, noting that former OVP special disbursing officer Gina Acosta testified that the Vice President instructed her to turn over P125 million in cash to security officer Col. Raymund Dante Lachica.
“Only the Vice President can explain (why). How can she explain if she’s not attending her own trial?” Alonto Adiong said.
