Escudero calls for order amid 'high' tensions in Sara Duterte impeachment trial

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Senate impeachment court presiding officer Francis "Chiz" Escudero on Monday called for civility as “emotions run high” amid the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte.

On the 33rd day of the impeachment trial, the presiding officer cited US Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O'Connor, saying that “the justice system cannot function effectively when the professionals charged with administering it cannot even be polite to one another.”

“The Chair understands that patience is wearing thin, tensions are running high, and tempers are beginning to fray. But we must not lose sight of our common purpose. Our duty is not to prevail over one another, but to assist this Court in the fair and orderly administration of justice,” Escudero said.

Citing Canon II, Section 2 of the Code of Professional Responsibility and Accountability (CPRA), he said that every lawyer should deal with fellow members of the bar with courtesy, civility, fairness, and candor.

As to non-lawyers, he cited Justice Anthony Kennedy, saying that “freedom may be born in protest, but it only survives in civility.”

“Disagreement may be vigorous and criticism unsparing, but no cause is strengthened by contempt. No institution is preserved by conduct that strips another person of his or her dignity,” Escudero said.

“Our duty is not to conquer one another in these proceedings, but to eliminate the truth and serve the cause of justice. Let the arguments be forceful, but never personal. Let the contest be exacting, but never degrading. And when these proceedings are concluded, let it be the law, not anger, not pride, nor applause, be the final word,” he added.

Escudero thus said that the impeachment court will remain focused on its job—to try and decide the case based on the evidence with justice and with fairness.

He also stood firm that they will not be distracted nor detracted “by the rantings or tantrums of anyone” inside or outside of the courtroom.

“Because at the end of the day, it's not about me, it's not about you, it's not about any one of us here. Rather, it is about the country, our people, accountability, justice, and fairness,” he said.

The prosecution earlier asked the impeachment court to issue a subpoena for former senator Antonio Trillanes IV to appear last week to testify on Duterte's alleged unexplained wealth.

Trillanes arrived at the Senate on Tuesday to watch the trial.

The Senate impeachment court however did not issue a subpoena for Trillanes on Tuesday but Escudero said that such decision does not prevent the prosecution from presenting him as a voluntary witness.

The House prosecution panel however said Thursday Trillanes will no longer be presented as a witness.

Trillanes on Thursday later clarified that it was he who asked the House prosecution panel to withdraw his name from being a witness.

He opted to disclose his claims against the Dutertes at a press conference on Friday, saying he was not welcome at the impeachment court. He also asked the public to keep an eye on the presiding officer.

Senator-judge Panfilo "Ping" Lacson however said Saturday the decision not to subpoena Trillanes as a witness did not rest solely with Escudero. —KG, GMA News