"Huwag na nilang pilitin na umamin. Kung magsinuling 'yung tao, hayaan mo na," Cayosa says.
Former Integrated Bar of the Philippines (IBP) president Atty. Domingo “Egon” Cayosa on Thursday urged senator-judges in the impeachment trial to avoid repeatedly pressuring witnesses into giving answers they want to hear, stressing that their role is to objectively assess the evidence and apply the law.
In an interview on DZRH's Dos Por Dos, Cayosa said senator-judges should allow witnesses to give their answers freely, even if their statements appear inconsistent or untruthful, as their credibility can be assessed when the impeachment court weighs the evidence and reaches its final judgment.
“Hindi naman kinakailangang galing lahat sa bunganga ng isang testigo yung basehan ng isang quest. Napakaraming pong pinagsasabi ng mga testigo na hindi kapani-paniwala. ‘Yan ang beyond human nature, contrary to the law,” Cayosa said.
“Pabayaan mo siyang magsabi ng ganyan. Huwag mo nga siyang iwasto. Pero dun sa pagdedesisyon mo, ibabangga mo yung kanyang sinasabi o hindi sinasabi, ano ba nakalagay sa batas. Ano ba yung normal at kapani-paniwalang gawain ng isang ordinaryong tao, isang responsible official ng gobyerno. So ganun ang dapat. Huwag na nilang pilitin na umamin. Kung magsinuling 'yung tao, hayaan mo na,” he added.
Cayosa also raised concerns over what he described as signs of "partiality" or bias among some senator-judges, particularly when questioning witnesses repeatedly or raising their voices to elicit a particular answer.
“Doon mo mapapansin yung sinasabi na natin, mukhang may kinikilingan. Sana iwas-iwasan nila. Ulit-ulitin nila at tumataas ang tone ng boses nila para pilitin yung witness na sabihin ‘yung sagot na gusto isagot nung nagtatanong na senator-judge. Huwag naman ho sana,” he said.
“Tanungin niyo minsan kung malinaw na. Huwag niyo na uulit-ulitin hanggat 'yung sagot na gusto niyo ang isasagot niya kasi hahaba lang ‘yung proseso at mahahalata lang yung inyong pinapanigan,” he added.
According to Cayosa, some senator-judges at times appear to be advocating for one side, ask questions outside the scope of the proceedings, or effectively testify on behalf of a party.
“Meron mga ilan sa kanila… na parang nag-aabogado sa sinumang partido. Pangalawa, kung minsan mga tanong nila talagang wala na sa topic eh. Pangatlo, yung iba, sila na yung nag-testigo para dun sa isang panig. So ito, mga gawain ito. Hindi dapat sa isang hukom,” Cayosa said.
He said the conduct may go largely unchallenged because prosecution and defense lawyers remain respectful toward the senator-judges and may choose not to openly criticize their questioning.
Cayosa also suggested that senator-judges undergo training or workshops to help them transition into their roles as members of an impeachment court.
He said judges and investigators should use questioning techniques designed to uncover the truth rather than pressure witnesses into providing predetermined answers.
“Mukhang hindi sila nagkakapag-transition ka agad. But sa totoo lang kahit hindi sa pag-i-imbestiga nila, pag-imbestigador ka, hindi rin namang pwedeng pilitin mo, brasuhin mo yung tao na sabihin yung gusto mo sabihin niya. You have to be more creative to send out the truth,” he said.
“At sa totoo lang, pag ikaw naman ay hukom o kaya yung imbestigador, mas maganda na bago ka pa magtanong, more or less alam mo na kung ano ang tamang sagot. Huwag mo nalang ibabangga yung kanyang mga... Huwag yung pinitin mo, brasuhin mo, kulang-kulang na lang sa sakalin para... huwag naman ho sana,” he added.
Cayosa said senator-judges should avoid turning their questioning into arguments with witnesses or legal counsel and instead focus on clarifying the testimony and examining the evidence presented before the court.
“Huwag mo na lang ibabangga yung kanyang mga... Huwag yung pilitin mo, brasuhin mo, kulang-kulang na lang sa sakalin para... huwag naman ho sana. Sayang ng oras doon,” he said.
He emphasized that the senator-judges’ primary responsibility is to evaluate the evidence and determine whether the allegations have been established under the law, rather than to argue with witnesses or attorneys during the proceedings.
