Metro Manila, Philippines — House prosecutor Joel Chua questioned a senator-judge’s impartiality after she suggested that the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte was somewhat rushed to show off to foreign visitors ahead of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations Summit in November.
In a press conference on Tuesday, Oct. 20, Chua said the remarks of Senator-judge Imee Marcos raised questions about her political impartiality in the proceedings.
“Hindi po ba parang hindi po yata maganda na ang isang senator-judge ay magbibigay ng ganitong klaseng komento, considering na nanumpa po sila na magiging politically impartial sila?” Chua said.
[Translation: “Isn’t it inappropriate for a senator-judge to make this kind of comment, considering that they swore to remain politically impartial?”]
“Dahil dito sa salitang ito, parang meron siyang kinakatigan,” he added.
[Translation: “Because of these words, it seems she is taking sides.”]
Marcos had questioned the pace of the trial, saying she felt that the proceedings were being rushed.
“Ang akin lang… ramdam na ramdam namin na nagmamadali. Ang tanong ko lamang, what’s the rush? Talaga bang magpapasikat lang tayo dahil parating na si Presidente Trump at magtatapos ang ASEAN?” she said.
[Translation: “My point is… we can really feel that things are being rushed. My only question is, what’s the rush? Are we really just trying to show off because President Trump is coming and the ASEAN chairmanship is about to end?”]
Lead prosecutor Jinky Luistro said the prosecution did not control the pace of the proceedings.
“Wala po kami sa position na magmadali,” Luistro said. “It is the impeachment court which has or is in the position to control the proceedings.”
[Translation: “We are not in a position to rush things.]
Luistro said the prosecution was concerned about possible delaying tactics by the defense but emphasized that the panel had acted based on what it believed was best for the prosecution, the public, and the impeachment court.
