Senator-Judge JV Ejercito on Wednesday said both the prosecution and defense should ideally be given the opportunity to present their respective sides in the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte, admitting he was surprised by the prosecution panel’s decision to withdraw three impeachment articles.
Ejercito said the respondent should be afforded due process, stressing the importance of allowing the defense to respond to allegations previously presented by the prosecution.
“Ideally, both sides should be heard. Kailangan natin yung defense, the respondent should be given due process,” Ejercito said in a press briefing.
“Ideally, mas maganda sana na marinig talaga. Siyempre, nakapag-presenta sa kabilang side, dapat parehong panig ay marinig,” he added.
The senator-judge acknowledged that he was surprised by the prosecution’s move, noting that the development came as senators were also facing pressure to complete their budget deliberations.
“Nagulat din kami sa call ng prosecution,” Ejercito said.
Despite his reservations, Ejercito declined to make further comments on the impeachment court’s proceedings, saying he would defer to Presiding Officer Francis “Chiz” Escudero on the appropriate direction of the trial.
“As Senator-Judge, I would like to refrain na lang from commenting on the proceedings. Pero sa akin lang, we just have to trust our presiding officer,” he said.
The Senate impeachment court earlier allowed the withdrawal of Articles I, III and IV of the impeachment complaint against Duterte, leaving Article II for consideration.
Ejercito’s remarks come amid discussions over whether the defense should be allowed to present its side regarding allegations covered by the withdrawn articles, as the Senate prepares to resume impeachment proceedings.
