House prosecution trial adviser and former Surigao del Norte 2nd District Representative Robert Ace Barbers on Wednesday, August 19, suggested adding Friday as an impeachment trial day to make up for several hearings that were canceled due to rains brought by storms and the southwest monsoon, or habagat.
Speaking during the House prosecution panel’s press conference, Barbers said Thursdays are generally reserved for committee hearings in the Senate, making it difficult for senators to accommodate a full impeachment trial on that day.
“Thursdays kasi is devoted yan for committee hearings ng mga senators in the different committees. So, medyo mahigpit yung kanilang schedule,” Barbers said.
He expressed support for House private prosecutor Atty. Lorna Kapunan’s earlier suggestion to hold impeachment proceedings in the afternoon. Barbers proposed that senators could conduct their regular legislative work in the morning before dedicating the afternoon to the impeachment trial.
“Kaya, I agree with the suggestion of Tita Lorna na gawin siguro sa hapon. Morning yung legislative work and then 3 p.m. one to sawa. Doon na natin talakayin itong impeachment,” he said.
Barbers stressed that the impeachment proceedings are equally important as the legislative work being undertaken by lawmakers.
“Dahil equally important din naman itong usaping ito. Gagaya ng ginagawang legislation ng ating mga senador at ating mga kongresista,” he added.
He further proposed using Fridays as an additional full-day hearing schedule if the Senate impeachment court wants to accelerate the proceedings.
“If and when they want to extend a little bit more and become patriotic, magdagdag ng Friday. Yung Friday, libre yung araw na yun. Pwede namang gawing for trial lang, the whole day kung gusto nila,” Barbers said.
According to Barbers, Thursday could remain dedicated to Senate committee hearings while Friday could be reserved entirely for the impeachment trial.
“Para yung Thursday, gawin lang nila for committee hearings and then Friday, pwede na siguro silang mag-impeachment,” he said.
Barbers said adding another hearing day could help the impeachment court complete the proceedings sooner, particularly after multiple cancellations caused by inclement weather.
“I think if we want to finish this as early as possible, siguro pa, hindi tayo abuti ng Pasko, siguro magdagdag ng isang araw,” Barbers said.
The proposal comes as the Senate continues the impeachment proceedings against Vice President Sara Duterte, with the House prosecution panel seeking additional hearing time to compensate for disruptions to the trial schedule.
