Gatchalian-bloc considers lawyer-colleague leading impeachment proceedings

As the impeachment trial against Vice President Sara Duterte begins on July 6, there’s an anticipation over who will sit as presiding officer.

According to Sandra Aguinaldo’s report in “24 Oras” on Wednesday, Senator Sherwin Gatchalian said the notice of pre-trial conference, which will be attended by both sides on June 18, has already been sent.

The amended impeachment rules, which allow for the election of a new presiding officer for the impeachment court, have also been published.

And, because the sitting Senate President also serves as the presiding officer of the impeachment court, Senator Alan Peter Cayetano took his oath of office this past May.

But with Gatchalian is serving as acting Senate President, he stated that he will assume the role of presiding officer.

Nevertheless, there is also a possibility that one of their lawyer-colleagues could take the seat — either Senator Francis “Chiz” Escudero or Senator Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan, Gatchalian confirmed.

Yet, Cayetano’s faction maintains that he remains the presiding officer of the impeachment court.

The issue will be settled if a new Senate President is elected by a majority vote of thirteen senators, the report said.

For her part, the Vice President is putting her trust in her legal team.

“Sinabihan ko na rin sila na susunod na lamang ako kung ano ‘yung desisyon ng mga abogado…maliit lang ‘yung team para madaling makapag-usap,” she said.

(I have already told them that I will simply follow whatever decision the lawyers make... the team has a few members so it is easier for them to discuss matters among themselves.)

“At kung ano ‘yung sa tingin nila pinakatama at pinakamabisa at pinakamagaling na paraan ng kanilang defense ay susunod lang ako bilang kliyente nila.”

(And whatever they believe is the most correct, most effective, and best way to conduct the defense, I will simply follow as their client.)

Duterte said it would be best for the Supreme Court to determine the legal leader of the Senate.

The Vice President also hinted that those currently detained or in hiding should still be included in the Senate — seemingly referring to detained Senator Jinggoy Estrada and the now-fugitive Senator Bato dela Rosa.

“Sila ay hindi dalawang group kundi isang institusyon at dapat pag-usapan noon 24 kasama ‘yung mga nakakulong, nakulong kasama ‘yung nagtatago kung ano ba dapat ang prayoridad ng kanilang institusyon at ano ‘yung kanilang trabaho na naaayon sa ating Saligang Batas,” said Duterte.

(They are not two separate groups but one institution. All 24 of them — including those who are detained, those who have been imprisoned, and those who are in hiding — should discuss what the priorities of their institution should be and what their duties are under our Constitution.)

Gatchalian announced earlier in the day that his faction has now assumed operational and management control of the Senate.

He noted that he is already signing the payroll for Senate employees, and the chamber is currently enforcing his memorandum placing staff on a work-from-home arrangement.

According to Gatchalian, his group is also coordinating with the House of Representatives regarding the President's upcoming State of the Nation Address. — Vince Angelo Ferreras/BAP, GMA News