Rallyists picket Senate to support lawyer cited for contempt

About 50 rallyists on Tuesday trooped to the Senate to show support for Vitaliano Aguirre II, the lawyer who was cited for contempt for disrespecting Senator Miriam Defensor-Santiago during the impeachment trial last week.  

In an interview with reporters, Aguirre's younger sister Garland Aguirre said the rallyists were members of the Mulanay Light Bringers, an organization in Mulanay, Quezon, Aguirre's hometown . 

 

The rallyists wore shirts bearing the picture of Aguirre while covering his ears, which was the primary reason he was cited for contempt.

 

"[Ito ay] suporta sa kapatid namin kasi parang pinaglaban niya lang ang [kanyang] dignidad," Garland said. 

 

Last week, the Senate cited Aguirre for contempt for covering his ears while Santiago was bashing the prosecution panel for dropping the remaining five Articles of Impeachment.  When he took the floor, he admitted committing the act and said Santiago shouldn't treat the prosecutors in such a way.

 

On Monday, Aguirre formally withdrew from the trial.

 

Garland, for her part, said they were a little surprised that his brother was cited for contempt but stressed that they still believe in him. 

 

"Medyo nagulat din na pero tama lang din naman yung ginawa niya.  Yun lang yung mga sigaw-sigaw niya [Santiago] na hindi tama. Pare-pareho naman silang mga lawyers...parang bata kung [kausapin sila]," she said, although adding that they were not angry at the senators.

 

The senators are expected to decide Aguirre's punishment in a caucus on Tuesday.  Santiago, however, said she will not participate in the deliberation.

 

Aguirre's sister said they will stay at the Senate until the senators make their decision.

 

"Kung pwede lang nga pumasok [ginawa na namin] maghihintay kami kahit anong oras," she said. — Kimberly Jane Tan/RSJ, GMA News