MANILA, Philippines — Private prosecutor Lorna Kapunan on Wednesday responded to Senator-Judge Alan Peter Cayetano’s call for parties to air their opinions outside the impeachment court, saying the same standard of restraint and balance should also apply to members of the Senate impeachment court.
Speaking to reporters after the sixth day of Vice President Sara Duterte’s impeachment trial, Kapunan said prosecutors can object to statements made by the defense during the proceedings but have no similar opportunity when senator-judges express their own opinions, conclusions or manifestations.
Her remarks came after Cayetano advised both parties not to make opinions or conclusions before the impeachment court and instead relay such views through their spokespersons outside the proceedings.
Kapunan, who said she was speaking in her personal capacity, stressed that calls for impartiality should extend to senator-judges because prosecutors have no procedural remedy when members of the impeachment court make their own observations during the trial.
“I don’t think it is right for us to keep quiet in court and then speak only outside. No, what we are talking about here is the people’s right to information,” Kapunan said.
