Cayetano: Impeach drop is hitting a defense that can’t strike back

MANILA, Philippines — Sen. Alan Peter Cayetano on Tuesday likened the prosecution’s decision to withdraw three of the four articles of impeachment against Vice President Sara Duterte to a fistfight in which one party is hit but then told not to retaliate.

“Kumbaga sa suntukan, sinuntok niyo na yung defense, then sasabihin niyo, ‘To save time, huwag na kayong gumanti,’” Cayetano said during the 39th day of the impeachment trial.

(“It’s like a fistfight. You’ve already punched the defense, and then you tell them, ‘To save time, don’t hit back.’”)

READ: Prosec drops all but unexplained wealth charge vs Duterte.

Cayetano said he was uncomfortable with the prosecution’s move, arguing that the defense should be allowed to present evidence to counter accusations already aired before the Senate impeachment court.

He questioned the prosecution’s justification that withdrawing the three articles would save time and government resources, noting that it had chosen to spend 38 days presenting evidence before deciding to drop the charges.

Government resources had already been spent on the proceedings, Cayetano said, adding that the prosecution could have focused on the unexplained wealth article from the beginning if it intended to pursue only one charge.

He also questioned the suggestion that the defense could use other platforms to present its evidence, asking whether the impeachment court could subpoena witnesses to attend the respondent’s Facebook Live sessions or press conferences.

Cayetano stressed that impeachment is not purely a judicial process but also a political one, with implications for the reputation of the official facing the charges.

He said the Senate should prioritize fairness and due process over a rushed conclusion, stressing that the Constitution does not impose a deadline for finishing the impeachment trial.

He also cited the Senate’s legislative workload, including deliberations on the proposed 2027 national budget, as well as concerns over the super El Niño, unfinished flood control projects, and the country’s economic situation.

Cayetano warned that the impeachment court’s actions would be judged by history, regardless of whether Duterte is convicted or acquitted. /mr