Senate seeks to speed up slow-starting Sara trial

National

THE Senate will find ways to speed up Vice President Sara Duterte's impeachment trial after only one witness finished testifying during the first week of the hearings.

Senate President Sherwin Gatchalian said the impeachment court originally expected to finish the testimony of National Bureau of Investigation agent John Mark Calilung on Tuesday and begin the hearing of a second witness the following day.

“We are studying ways to shorten the impeachment proceedings. We are also consulting with both the prosecution and the defense on how we can speed up the trial. Our goal is to finish it as quickly as possible while ensuring that the proceedings remain orderly and impartial,” Gatchalian said in an interview yesterday over radio dzMM.

The impeachment court has set 92 trial days to hear the four Articles of Impeachment, including 31 days for the alleged misuse of confidential funds; 12 days for alleged unexplained wealth and false statements of assets, liabilities and net worth; 11 days for the article involving the alleged assassination plot, grave threats and inciting to sedition; and eight days for alleged bribery and corruption in the Department of Education.

Gatchalian acknowledged that the pace of the proceedings had been slower than expected due to lengthy debates and objections.

“We did not expect that we would not get to the second witness. The debates and the questioning took much longer than anticipated, so we were unable to finish,” he said in a Philstar report.

He said the frequent objections raised by both the prosecution and defense were normal during the early stages of a high-profile impeachment trial.

“That is part of the strategy. I also watched the impeachment trial of (former) chief justice (Renato) Corona. During the first two or three weeks, there were many objections. But after that, the objections became fewer,” Gatchalian said.

“This is only the first week, so everyone is still adjusting. As the trial progresses, I expect there will be fewer objections and the proceedings will move faster,” he added.

While acknowledging public concerns over the length of the proceedings, Gatchalian stressed that due process should not be compromised.

“I understand why many people think the proceedings are taking too long. I have thought the same myself. That process may take time, but it is part of the due process guaranteed by the Constitution,” he said.

Gatchalian expressed hope that the trial would maintain its “orderly and peaceful” conduct throughout the proceedings, praising his fellow senator-judges for approaching the hearings with discipline and an open mind.

The impeachment trial will resume from July 13 to 15.(Mary Elaine Virtucio, UP Cebu Comm Intern)