Impeachment prosecutors open to holding special session

Several members of the House Prosecution Panel are open to the holding of a special session of Congress, believing that this will not affect the impeachment trial timeline.

"No official talk but I've heard unofficially. And given the climate, I think they are anticipating the possibility of a special session being called," House impeachment prosecutor and Deputy Majority Leader Ramon Rodrigo Gutierrez said in an online interview Friday.

"And the House will, of course, comply with legal orders of the government if it comes to that. The House will find ways to comply and the members are very much willing to comply," Gutierrez added.

In a separate online interview, House lead prosecutor Rep. Gerville Luistro said that following Senate President Pro Tempore Win Gatchalian's announcement that the schedule earlier released by the Senate impeachment court will be followed, "Positive na hindi naman maaapektuhan ng special session itong impeachment timeline."

"I think kakailanganin din ng impeachment trial itong special session na ito, only if they will decide to designate a presiding officer other than our acting SP," Luistro added.

Other impeachment prosecutors also believe the special session will have no effect on the impeachment trial timeline.

"We're not sure yet if there would be an effect on the timeline of the impeachment. But as of now, it is a possibility, I think, that the impeachment will proceed unchanged, depending on how it plays out," Gutierrez stated.

"Tingin ko yung special session naman, wala naman pong kinalaman sa impeachment timeline. Ito po ay tungkol po sa mga nakabinbin ng mga legislative na priority ng ating Pangulo. So iba naman po ito sa impeachment timeline. Ang impeachment timeline as of now ay hindi pa rin po nagbabago kaya ako po naniniwala na ito po ay mananatili," another prosecutor, Rep. Joel Chua, said in a separate online interview today.

When asked if the presiding officer matters in the conduct of the impeachment trial, Chua replied, "Well, malaking bagay po kung sino po magpe-preside. But at the end of the day, kasi internal po ito, internal squabbling po ito ng mga miyembro ng Senado. Basta tayo po, ang hinihingi lang po natin ay mabigyan kami ng pagkakataon na mailatag nang maayos ang aming mga ebidensya."

Gutierrez, meanwhile, said he believes "that strengthens the impartiality in which they would allow them to choose amongst their colleagues someone who is unbiased and competent to handle the proceedings. This is not to say that incompetent ang ating senator judges. Far from it. We have some very good senator-judges there."

Luistro said Gatchalian has two options. "Either he himself will preside the impeachment trial or the Senator-judges can decide to elect somebody to preside over the impeachment."

Luistro threw her support behind Gatchalian as the presiding officer of the Senate Impeachment Court, saying "I think kaya niya mag-preside ng impeachment trial, notwithstanding the fact that he is a non-lawyer. I've seen him work. Kaya niyang aralin at panindigan ang pagiging presiding officer."

The issue of the infighting in the Senate has been brought before the Supreme Court. Luistro believes this will not delay the impeachment process.

"I don't think naman unless the Supreme Court will issue a TRO to the new leadership in continuing the assumption of power in the Senate, no? But for as long as walang TRO, since the House of Representatives, including the Executive headed by the Malacanang Palace, have recognized already the leadership of acting SP Win, we will proceed. We will continue for as long as walang TRO," Luistro explained.—LDF, GMA News