Pasay to implement road closure, traffic plan for Sara Duterte impeachment trial

Pasay City authorities will close off a stretch of Diokno Boulevard near the Senate premises during the conduct of the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte.

In a Facebook post on Friday, the Pasay Traffic and Parking Management Office said the temporary closure on Diokno Boulevard covers the northbound and southbound lanes from Seaside Boulevard to Atang dela Rama Street.

Intersections along this segment will also be closed.

The traffic plan will take effect starting Monday, July 6, when the Senate impeachment court commences the trial proceedings.

It will be enforced every Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday from 7 a.m. until 7 p.m. The Pasay City announcement indicated that the impeachment trial is expected to last seven to eight months.

The official schedule of the impeachment trial provides for initial weekly proceedings from from Monday to Wednesday at 2 p.m. before the fifth State of the Nation Address (SONA) of President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. on July 27.

This will be adjusted to Tuesdays to Thursdays at 2 p.m. after the SONA.

The Senate Sergeant-at-Arms and the Philippine National Police (PNP) conducted Friday a security inspection at the Senate ahead of the impeachment trial.

"Pinapayuhan ang mga motorista na dumaan sa Macapagal Boulevard bilang alternatibong ruta at sundin ang mga tagubilin ng mga traffic enforcers sa lugar," the advisory read, as Pasay authorities asked for understanding for any inconvenience the traffic plan may cause.

(Motorists are advised to take Macapagal Boulevard as an alternative route and to follow the instructions of traffic enforcers in the area.)

Space for protesters

Meanwhile, the National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) on Saturday said protesters would not be allowed to conduct mass actions in front of the Senate and along Diokno Boulevard.

Interviewed on Super Radyo dzBB on Saturday, NCRPO spokesperson Police Major Hazel Asilo said anyone can participate in protests with regard to the Duterte impeachment trial, but are nonetheless obliged to follow police regulations.

"Ngayon naman po kaya tayo naglagay ng mga pulis ay hindi lamang po sa security ng Senado, kundi sa mga dumadaan din po kasi may mga commuters tayo, may mga motorista tayo na dumadaan sa labas ng Senado," Asilo said.

(We deployed policemen there not just for the security of the Senate, but also for commuters, motorists and others passing the Senate premises.)

Asked up to where mass actions can be held, Asilo said it would depend on the discussions between the protesters and the police.

"May pagkakataon po kasi na maaga silang nahaharang. Malayo pa lang nahaharang na sila. Minsan naman po, dahil hindi sila sabay-sabay dumarating, at may isang area na mas malapit silang nagkukumpulan, kung kaya po 'di natin masasabi kung hanggang saan lamang sila pero definitely po hindi sila makakapuwesto dun sa mismong harap ng Senado," Asilo said.

(There were instances that protesters were blocked early and far away. Sometimes they do not arrive at the same time, so they gather at an area which is closer. So that's why we cannot say exactly where they can be allowed but definitely they cannot be in front of the Senate itself.)

Protesters would not be allowed to wear balaclavas, burn effigies, and throw objects, the NCRPO spokesperson said.

Asilo said the NCRPO remains on heightened alert. — VDV, GMA News