WHY SENATOR-JUDGES MUST REMAIN IMPARTIAL IN VP SARA’S IMPEACHMENT TRIAL
MANILA — As the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte continues, calls for impartiality among senator-judges have become another issue surrounding the proceedings.
Malacañang recently urged the senator-judges to remain unbiased and to avoid appearing as if they were acting as lawyers for either side. Palace Press Officer Claire Castro said senator-judges should ask questions to clarify facts and help determine the truth—not to cross-examine witnesses on behalf of a particular side.
THE ROLE OF SENATOR-JUDGES
Sa impeachment trial, dili ordinaryong legislative debate ang proceedings. Ang mga senador naglingkod isip senator-judges, with the responsibility of evaluating the evidence and arguments presented by both the prosecution and the defense.
Mao nga importante nga ang ilang mga pangutana ug statements dili mahimong murag nagdepensa o nag-atake sa usa lamang ka side. Instead, questions should be directed toward clarifying facts and understanding the evidence before the court.
QUESTIONS ARE PART OF THE PROCESS
Dili pasabot nga kinahanglan hilom lamang ang mga senator-judges. Allowed ug importanteng bahin sa trial ang pagpangutana.
Sa recent hearings, several senator-judges have actively questioned witnesses about issues involving confidential funds, COA findings and other evidence. The key issue is not whether senators ask questions, but how those questions are asked and what purpose they serve.
The Palace said senator-judges should avoid interrupting witnesses unnecessarily or debating with them, emphasizing that their role is to determine the truth for the public.
FAIRNESS FOR BOTH SIDES
Ang impartiality importante dili lang para sa prosecution, kundi apil usab sa defense.
Kung ang prosecution adunay evidence nga ilang gipresentar, kinahanglan kini susihon. Kung adunay arguments ang defense, kinahanglan usab kini paminawon ug i-assess. Both sides deserve the opportunity to present their case before the Senate makes its judgment.
Earlier, Senate President Sherwin Gatchalian said the Senate would uphold “impartial justice” as the impeachment trial began.
THE CREDIBILITY OF THE SENATE IS ALSO AT STAKE
Beyond the outcome of the impeachment case, the credibility of the Senate impeachment court is also being tested.
Ang decision sa senator-judges kinahanglan makita nga nakabase sa evidence, rules ug facts, dili sa political alliances, personal opinions o partisan interests.
As the trial continues, maintaining impartiality can help ensure that whatever decision the Senate eventually reaches will be viewed as the product of a fair process—not a predetermined political outcome.
Padayon ang impeachment trial ni VP Sara Duterte, ug ang mga senator-judges magpadayon sa ilang papel sa pag-evaluate sa testimonies, documents ug arguments gikan sa duha ka sides. Sa katapusan, ang ilang responsibility mao ang paghimo og judgment base sa ebidensya nga ilang nadungog ug nasusi sa impeachment court.