Careful with word choice, Cayetano tells impeach court

MANILA, Philippines — Sen. Alan Peter Cayetano yesterday reminded prosecution and defense counsels, as well as fellow senators, to refrain from using loaded words during Vice President Sara Duterte’s impeachment trial.

The senator made the interjection after the court struck off private prosecutor Mae Divinagracia’s remarks calling the Vice President the “architect” or “mastermind” of the alleged “scam” of confidential funds misuse.

Cayetano said the words have the effect of “branding” a person as a “scammer” or “thief.”

“The problem with coming up with words, especially in this for both sides and even for the Senate, senator-judges, when we use certain words that can be… in Tagalog – branded, you’ve branded (somebody) a scam or scammer, or a thief,” Cayetano said.

Speakers of loaded words only serve to make their remarks go “viral” or be good soundbites in front of the camera, which is not proper for the court, Cayetano stressed.

“We know that that’s for the cameras. Not just for the court, right?… Let’s be circumspect without pointing fingers to anyone (on) both sides,” he said.

Defense counsel Kristine Ferrer earlier objected to the prosecution’s choice of words, particularly the reference to “scam.”

“This is a solemn proceeding, this is a court of law, this is a court of procedure and actually a court of decorum. We are not supposed to make insinuations, accusations or conclusions. So we request the court to kindly remind the prosecution,” she said. — Bella Cariaso