Senator-judge Alan Peter Cayetano on Tuesday reminded both the prosecution and defense panels, as well as fellow senator-judges, to be circumspect in choosing their words during Vice President Sara Duterte’s impeachment trial, warning that emotionally charged remarks could affect the integrity of the proceedings and the court’s eventual decision.
Cayetano issued the reminder on the 18th day of the impeachment trial, days after several heated exchanges between the prosecution, defense, and senator-judges included terms such as “stupid,” “nice try,” “modus operandi,” and “scam” in discussions over the alleged misuse of confidential funds.
“When we use certain words [na] binansagan mo na scam, scammer...Let’s all be aware that when we say it—even if we say ‘withdrawn,’ both sides ha—kahit sabihin mong withdrawn na ito, kahit sabihin mo ‘nice try, nice try,’ etc., we know that's for the cameras, not just for the court, diba?” Cayetano said.
“Let’s be circumspect without pointing fingers to anyone—for both sides. Kapag may certain words that may not only have negative but emotional attachment, magva-viral na ’yan and it will really affect the integrity not only of the court but of the decision sa huli,” he added.
He made the remarks after House prosecution counsel Mae Divinagracia described Duterte as the possible “architect” and “mastermind” behind the alleged misuse of confidential funds during the conclusion of her direct examination of Office of the Vice President (OVP) Assistant Chief of Staff Lemuel Ortonio.
Cayetano said remarks with negative or emotional connotations could quickly gain public attention even after they had been withdrawn or stricken from the record.
Cayetano said the impeachment proceedings were being closely followed by the public and cautioned both sides against using loaded words merely to create viral moments or soundbites.
“We admire your passion in trying to prove your allegations, but we're also all aware that the medium is the message,” he said.
He noted that the proceedings were not solely about persuading the 24 senator-judges, as both sides were also speaking before the public.
“In the future, if we say that nagkamali, let’s not kid each other. Kaming senator-judges, nagkakamali din kami. But once masabi mo, it takes on a life of its own. We have to really be more circumspect in choosing our words,” Cayetano said.
Defense counsel Kristine Ferrer objected to Divinagracia’s remarks, prompting the Senate impeachment court to strike them from the record upon the ruling of Presiding Officer Francis “Chiz” Escudero.
The prosecution later apologized for instances in which its members may have gotten “carried away” during the proceedings and assured the court that it would conduct itself more carefully moving forward.
The impeachment trial of Duterte resumed Tuesday for its 18th day, with the House prosecution panel continuing to present evidence on the alleged misuse of confidential funds during her tenure as Vice President and Education Secretary.
Watch the full report below.
