MANILA, Philippines – Mariing tinutulan ni dating Surigao del Norte Rep Robert Ace Barbers ang hirit ng ilang miyembro ng Senado na amyendahan ang kanilang Rules upang payagan ang online voting kahit walang sapat na dahilan, tulad ng pambansang emergency o pandemic.
Ayon kay Barbers, dating Chairman ng House Quad Comm Committee, tila may ibang motibo ang panukalang palawigin ang digital participation sa internal rules ng Impeachment Court.
“The proponents want this amendment to extend to the Impeachment Court internal rules. This proposal betrays the intention of some members to accomodate other members who may not be able to physically attend sessions, not due to medical reasons but in anticipation of their absence in relation to the cases that they may be facing or about to face,” ani Barbers.
“Obviously, some Senators want to protect the others and use the latter’s predictable inclinations in furtherance of their agenda, without regard to the still to be presented solid evidence. The proponents are banking on the present majority composition which is aligned with the members who is/are subject/s of the proposal,” dagdag pa nito.
Ani Barbers dapat ibasura ang resolusyong nagpapahintulot sa video conferencing o digital attendance habang isinasagawa ang impeachment trial.
Ipinaalala ni Barbers na ang paglilitis sa impeachment ay isang mas mataas na tungkulin ng Senado kapag ito ay umuupo bilang isang impeachment court.
Binigyang-diin pa niya na ang pisikal na pagsusuri sa mga dokumento at materyal na ebidensya, pati na ang aktwal na pagmamasid sa mga testigo, ay hindi maaaring iwasan sa pagbuo ng isang tamang desisyon na nakabatay sa katotohanan.
“Actual ang active physical participation in the trial is the kind of respect due the Impeachment Court. If the Senator-Judge respects the processes and the sanctity of the trial, he must take it upon himself to attend physically. He owes it to the people to discharge his duty and responsibility in the best manner. The only exception should be for medical reasons,” paglilinaw pa ni Barbers. Gail Mendoza
