Bantay Senado urges senator-judges to attend VP Sara Duterte trial

QUEZON CITY — Bantay Senado called on senator-judges to personally attend and participate in Vice President Sara Duterte’s impeachment trial, raising concerns about members who have been absent from the plenary or monitored proceedings from elsewhere in the Senate.

The nonpartisan citizens’ monitoring network said Monday, Aug. 24, that physical participation matters because senator-judges will ultimately decide the impeachment case and should directly hear evidence and observe proceedings that could shape their judgment.

The call comes as Duterte’s impeachment trial entered its 17th day Monday after two consecutive sessions were canceled because of inclement weather. Bantay Senado specifically cited reports that Sens. Robin Padilla, Mark Villar, and Christopher “Bong” Go watched part of the trial from the Senate lounge rather than the plenary.

Padilla had posted photos showing the three senators in their impeachment robes monitoring the Aug. 17 proceedings from the lounge after they were present for the opening of the session. Go later said their stay in the lounge was brief and that they continued monitoring the trial while taking a break. Impeachment court spokesperson Reginald Tongol has also said senator-judges may participate from outside the session hall as long as they remain within Senate premises, citing the court’s continuing quorum.

Bantay Senado nevertheless argued that senator-judges have a responsibility to participate personally in proceedings they will eventually be asked to decide.

“Senator-Judges were convened as an Impeachment Court, not as an audience. Their presence and participation should not be optional. Its members assume a constitutional responsibility to personally be part of the proceedings they will ultimately be asked to judge,” said Prof. Cleve V. Arguelles, convenor and spokesperson of Bantay Senado.

The group also raised concern over Sen. Loren Legarda’s absence from the proceedings amid consecutive medical leaves.

Legarda had been absent from the trial and Senate sessions since early August and filed consecutive medical leaves through Aug. 19, according to published reports.

Arguelles said senator-judges’ responsibility extends beyond the impeachment court itself because the proceedings involve the constitutional accountability of one of the country’s highest elected officials.

“Senator-Judges have a responsibility to the Constitution and to the Filipino people who entrusted them with this solemn duty. They should be present to hear the evidence, assess the proceedings firsthand, and meaningfully participate in the process that will inform their judgment,” Arguelles adds.

Concerns about attendance have also been raised by the House prosecution panel, which has argued that personal attendance allows senator-judges to observe witnesses’ behavior, reactions, and manner of answering questions while assessing testimony.

The issue does not necessarily prevent the impeachment court from conducting business, however, as House prosecutor Rep. Terry Ridon said proceedings could continue as long as a quorum is present.

Bantay Senado acknowledged that legitimate medical and personal circumstances may prevent individual senator-judges from attending proceedings.

For senator-judges who are able to participate, however, the group said personal attendance should be the rule rather than the exception.

“The Filipino people deserve more than Senator-Judges who will just eventually cast a vote. They deserve Senator-Judges who were present for the trial that informed that vote,” Arguelles said.

Bantay Senado reiterated its call for Duterte’s impeachment trial to remain transparent, fair, accountable, evidence-based, and faithful to the Constitution.

The group urged all senator-judges who can attend to personally participate in the proceedings.

“Magmatyag. Magpaliwanag. Mangalampag. Bantay Senado,” the group said.