The Daily Tribune
‘Biased’ senators’ inhibition on impeachment absurd, says Topacio
Lawyer Ferdinand Topacio dismissed as "preposterous" the call by Tindig Pilipinas for certain senators to inhibit themselves from the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte.
Topacio, the newly designated spokesperson for PDP-Laban on impeachment matters, stated that the advocacy group should follow proper legal procedures rather than using the media to air their concerns.
He argued that the group's logic of disqualifying senators based on alleged bias would render the impeachment court unable to function due to a lack of quorum.
Topacio pointed out that if senators who voted for the remand of the case were considered biased, then all 18 senators who voted in favor would also have to recuse themselves.
He further suggested that a similar logic could be applied to House lawmakers who voted to impeach the Vice President, which would also significantly reduce the number of tribunal members.
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Senate impeachment court spokesperson Atty. Reginald Tongol has denied accusations from House prosecution panel spokesperson Antonio Bucoy that he was "lawyering" for Vice President Sara Duterte.
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The House prosecution panel may resort to the Supreme Court as a final measure if the Senate decides to dismiss Vice President Sara Duterte's impeachment case without a trial.
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Senator-judges are not yet subject to a gag order regarding public comments on the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte, according to impeachment court spokesperson Reginald Tongol.
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Senator Risa Hontiveros stated that Reginald Tongol, spokesperson for the Senate Impeachment Court, only speaks for himself and the court's presiding officer, Senator Francis "Chiz" Escudero, not for all senator-judges.
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Senator Risa Hontiveros urged Senate President Francis "Chiz" Escudero to administer the oaths of the twelve newly elected senators.
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