VP Sara as defense witness? Up to her impeachment team – Gatchalian

MANILA — Senate President Sherwin Gatchalian on Thursday said it would still depend on the defense panel’s strategy if they would let Vice President Sara Duterte testify personally in her impeachment trial once it resumes this November.

That’s despite a Social Weather Stations (SWS) survey showing that the majority or 78 percent of Filipinos believed it was important that she is able to personally explain and answer all allegations against her.

“It will be their decision kung ilalagay nila sa witness stand si Vice President Sara,” Gatchalian said.

Asked whether Duterte’s testimony would help him decide whether to acquit or convict her, Gatchalian said the Senate should first hear the defense’s side.

“Tignan muna natin ano yung ipe-present ng defense. Nakita lang natin yung one side, the prosecution, so there’s another side pa,” he said.

Gatchalian added that senators had yet to receive details on the witnesses the defense would present.

“Let’s see sino yung kanilang ipi-present until now wala pa kasi kaming hawak kung sino sino yung mga witnesses… Then we’d get a better picture,” he said. 

The same SWS survey found that 51 percent of Filipinos agreed that the Senate’s decision should be accepted, whether Duterte is acquitted or convicted.

Asked how to increase public acceptance of the Senate’s decision, whatever it could be, Gatchalian stressed the importance of making the proceedings and evidence understandable to the public.

“Importante, malinaw sa taumbayan para maintindihan nila yung pinag-uusapan. Higit sa lahat, yung ebidensyang pinepresenta,” he said.