The Market Monitor Minding the Nation's Business
Senate President Win Gatchalian is optimistic that the impeachment case against Vice President Sara Duterte could be resolved before December, with the Senate impeachment court preparing to devote longer hours to the proceedings.
Gatchalian said the court is now working on a compressed schedule that could significantly shorten the trial, particularly after the prosecution reduced the number of witnesses it intends to present.
“Hopefully, before December, matapos na natin. Hopefully, ha? May verdict, may verdict, may verdict,” Gatchalian told reporters at the Senate last week.
The Senate president said the court will set aside 10 full hearing days, starting at 10 a.m. and continuing until the day’s proceedings are completed. Senate budget deliberations will not be held during these trial days.
The revised arrangement could allow the impeachment court to hear two or three witnesses in a single day, giving the proceedings a faster pace than under the earlier timetable.
“Malaking bagay yun. In fact, malaking kabawasan yun sa timetable,” Gatchalian said.
Still, he cautioned that the shortened schedule does not guarantee an early conclusion. The defense could affect the timetable once it begins presenting its own evidence after the prosecution finishes its presentation on the four impeachment articles.
The Senate will also have to settle the contentious issue of the voting requirement for the impeachment case.
Before making that determination, Gatchalian said senator-judges intend to hear constitutional and legal arguments from outside experts. The Senate is considering three to five amici curiae, including former chief justices, former Supreme Court justices and other recognized constitutionalists.
“Papakinggan natin sila. Isang araw tayo para pakinggan sila, maintindihan at ma-process yung kanilang mga sinasabi,” he said.
Gatchalian said it would be premature to determine whether the voting-threshold issue would eventually be elevated to the Supreme Court, as the Senate impeachment court has yet to hear the opinions of the invited experts.