Metro Manila, Philippines – The House prosecution team will explore options in handling senator-judges displaying partiality in Vice President Sara Duterte’s impeachment trial, including the filing of motions for inhibition, a newly elected lawmaker set to serve as prosecutor said.
In an interview with NewsWatch Plus on Thursday, May 22, Mamamayang Liberal party-list Representative-elect Leila de Lima said the “reality” is that some senators, who are expected to act as impartial judges in the trial, have already publicly shown their inclination to acquit Duterte even before the proceedings begin.
“Pag-uusapan namin iyan kung ano ang pwede naming gawin hinggil diyan [We will discuss what we can do about that],” De Lima said.
“Talaga naman yung iba parang may pre-judgment na sila [Some of them really do seem to have already made a pre-judgment]. That can be really a ground for their disqualification, for their inhibition,” she added.
De Lima, who recently accepted a position on the 11-member prosecution panel, said that under the Rules of Court, a motion for inhibition may be filed – a procedure that can also be invoked in impeachment trials.
She clarified that this is just one option and that the prosecution panel has yet to formally meet.
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