MANILA, Philippines — Senator-judge Alan Peter Cayetano on Monday said that an impartial tribunal is a prerequisite for holding public officials accountable as the Senate impeachment court continued hearing the prosecution’s case against Vice President Sara Duterte.
In his exchange with prosecution witness retired Sandiganbayan Presiding Justice Amparo Cabotaje-Tang, Cayetano said lack of impartiality could put accountability at risk, particularly if a ruling could be overturned on appeal or rejected by the public.
"Is it correct to say that if the court is not impartial, there is a risk that accountability will not be achieved? Because the decision could be overturned on appeal, or people may not accept the judgment. In other words, the impartiality of any tribunal is essential. Would you agree with that?” Cayetano asked.
Cabotaje-Tang agreed, saying the impartiality of a court “will largely impact on the proper dispensation of justice.”
Cayetano also linked impartiality to judicial independence, noting that pressures could affect the conduct of tribunals.
“In reality, there is dependence, co-dependence, as well as independence. And in reality, there can be pressures,” he said.
The senator-judge also emphasized the broader implications of how the impeachment court conducts the proceedings, warning that its decisions and adherence to the rules could affect the country for decades.
“This impeachment court's decision and how we conduct ourselves and whether we follow the rules or not will determine our destiny not only in the next years. That's why these are very important questions,” Cayetano said.
Cayetano urged the Senate to strengthen the judiciary and ensure that judges remain independent in carrying out their constitutional duties.
“We hope that the Senate can do its part in strengthening the Sandiganbayan, [and] the Judiciary to support each and every judge [so] that they will remain independent and true to their oath of blindly following the Constitution, our laws, and dispensing justice,” he said.
