MANILA, Philippines – Maaaring magresulta sa conviction ang hindi pagdalo ni Vice President Sara Duterte sa oras na mag-convene na ang Kamara at Senado bilang isang impeachment court, ayon kay House Justice panel chairperson at Batangas Rep. Gerville Luistro nitong Sabado, Mayo 9.
Ani Luistro, umaasa siyang magpapakita na si Duterte sa impeachment trial “because this is her last opportunity to present her evidence.”
Matatandaan na absent si Duterte sa mga clarificatory hearing ng House justice panel sa impeachment complaints na inihain laban sa kanya.
“If she will be missing this opportunity, then we have reason to believe that this might result in conviction,” ayon kay Luistro.
“I think she should fully participate this time to be able to present her evidence, counter the evidence of the prosecution, because there is no judgment yet,” ang abiso ng mambabatas sa Bise Presidente.
“This trial may result in conviction but it may also result in acquittal, depending on the evidence which will be presented by the defense,” ayon pa kay Luistro.
Bagamat sapat ang ebidensya ng mga complainant para mapanatili ang probable cause na ma-impeach si Duterte, ang pagtukoy kung sapat ang mga ito para mapanagot ang Bise Presidente ay nakasalalay sa ebidensya o counter-evidence ng depensa.
“If the defense does not present evidence, we can actually anticipate the appreciation of the senator judges that the complainants’ evidence might be sufficient to support conviction,” anang mambabatas.
Samantala, naniniwala si Luistro na ang senator-judges “will be very cautious in casting their vote” sa impeachment trial sa kabila ng kanilang political affiliations.
Idinagdag pa niya na ang senator-judges ay dapat na maging independent at impartial sa pagdinig.
“Even if your political affiliation is with the vice president, if the evidence is so overwhelming, that even the general public is supportive of conviction, how can an ally of the vice president vote against conviction?”
“If it is seen by the general public, it might cost his own political interest,” pagpapatuloy niya.
Inaasahang tatalakayin ng Kamara at pagbobotohan ang Articles of Impeachment bukas, Mayo 11.
Nasa 106 boto ang kinakailangan sa mababang kapulungan para ma-impeach si Duterte. RNT/JGC
