Former Senate President Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel III said on Wednesday that the impeachment proceedings in the Senate would continue and would not be affected even if Vice President Sara Duterte refuses to participate in the trial.

“Okay lang yun. No effect yun. Hindi naman in-expect ng court na may full cooperation dun sa impeach official,” Pimentel said, when asked if there will be an issue if Duterte won't face the trial, during an interview on DZRH's Dos Por Dos.

“Pwede maging defiant, palaban yung impeach official. Pwede niyang hindi i-recognize ang impeachment court. Possible 'yan. Pero hindi 'yan maapektuhan. Hindi maapektuhan ang proseso, hindi maapektuhan ang authority, ang jurisdiction, hindi rin maapektuhan ang epekto ng decision ng final decision,” he added.

He explained that an impeached official may refuse to recognize the impeachment court or take a combative stance, but such actions would not affect the court’s authority, jurisdiction, or the validity of its final decision.

Pimentel said it is expected that the defense would contest the charges and challenge the prosecution’s evidence as part of the “adversarial“ legal process.

“Sa proseso natin na demokrasya na civilized society tayo, in-expect natin na kasi yung mga ini-impeach, mga matataas yan na opisyales ng gobyerno. So in-expect natin na yung impeached official ay mag-cooperate din sa proseso. Pero hindi natin in-expect na magsusurrender 'yan. Lalaban 'yan syempre. Kaya nga may pagkakorte yung sistema, adversarial,“ he said.

He clarified that evidence presented before the House of Representatives would not automatically be accepted by the Senate impeachment court.

“Actually, hindi automatic yun na lahat ng mga prinisent sa House of Representatives, hindi automatic yun na yun ang ipipresent sa Senate or papasa yun sa pag-present sa Senate,” he said.

Pimentel explained that senators sitting as judges may either accept or reject evidence depending on objections and rulings made during the proceedings.

“Pwedeng magkaroon ng objection sa isang ebidensya, pwedeng mag-ruling ang mga senador, pwede nilang i-accept, pwede rin nilang not to accept ang ebidensya. So hintayin na lang natin,“ the former senator stated.

“Lahat tayo manood sa impeachment trial tapos tignan natin yung bigat ng ebidensya na prinesinta ng mga congressman, House Prosecution Panel,“ he added.

Pimentel to senators: Act as judges, not politicians in impeachment trial

Amid concerns that political alliances in the Senate—where a majority of senator-judges are perceived to be allied with Duterte—could influence the outcome of the trial, Pimentel said the strength of the prosecution’s case would still depend on the evidence formally presented and admitted by the court.

He also urged senator-judges to act impartially once the impeachment trial reaches the decision stage.

“‘Yung mga senator-judges natin, pagdating sa time na panahon na mag-de-decide na sila, syempre tatanungin nila sa sarili nila 'ano ba ako, politiko o isang judge. Sana ang sagot nila: 'Ako sa puntong ito, ako ay isang judge. Dapat ganoon. Hindi ako politiko ngayon. Ngayong araw na ito na ako ay mag-de-decision na sa impeachment, Ako ay isang judge, hindi politiko,' sana ganon,” he said.

He suggested that the Senate adopt a less restrictive approach in accepting evidence and instead determine its weight and credibility during deliberations.

At the same time, Pimentel said the defense could still challenge the Articles of Impeachment in its formal answer to the court, although a motion to dismiss may no longer be allowed at the current stage of the proceedings.

“Mukhang hindi allowed ang motion to dismiss. Pero siyempre sa sagot mo, sa sagot mo pwede mo talagang i-criticize yung articles of impeachment,“ the senator said.

“Pwede mong banatan yung Articles of Impeachment. Pwede mong sabihin walang kwenta ito. Ano lang ito, basura lang ito, papel lang ito na dapat diniretso na sa basurahan,“ Pimentel added.

The impeachment court also summoned Duterte after it officially convened on Monday, May 18, ordering her to file her answer to the complaints within a non-extendible 10-day period and to appear before the tribunal upon notice.

The impeachment complaint against Duterte includes allegations of culpable violation of the 1987 Constitution, graft and corruption, and betrayal of public trust.