(Updated July 15; 5:22 p.m.) Some senator-judges from the Senate minority were questioned over their conduct during the impeachment trial after they were seen leaving the session hall for extended periods.
On Monday, July 13, Senate Minority Leader Alan Peter Cayetano was reported to have returned to the Senate Plenary Hall nearly an hour after while the trial was ongoing.
He left at 2:51 p.m. and returned at 3:48 p.m.
Senator-judges Robin Padilla, Imee Marcos and Mark and Camille Villar were also seen leaving the plenary hall for at least 20 minutes at a time.
Padilla reportedly returned at 4:25 p.m., more than an hour after leaving at 2:53 p.m.
Their absences drew criticism online, with many Filipinos questioning why some senators, particularly those aligned with former Senate President Cayetano, were not present during portions of the trial.
“Mayroon bang mekanismo o kinauukulang ahensya na maaaring umaksyon sa asal at kilos ng ilang senator-judges kung may pagdududa ang publiko sa kanilang pagiging patas?” a Facebook user said.
“Sa mga pahayag at ipinapakita nila, may mga pagkakataong nagmumukhang may kinikilingan o pinapaboran na sila, kaya mahalagang mapanatili ang tiwala ng taumbayan sa integridad ng proseso,” the Facebook user added.
“Kung may nakikitang paglabag sa Konstitusyon o sa kanilang sinumpaang tungkulin, dapat itong idaan sa tamang legal na proseso at sa mga kinauukulang institusyon. Paalala lamang po, mga Ma’am at Sir: inihalal kayo ng sambayanang Pilipino upang paglingkuran ang buong bansa, hindi ang interes ng iisang tao, pamilya, o anumang grupo,” the Facebook user continued.
“Ang inyong katapatan ay nararapat na nakatuon sa Konstitusyon, sa batas, at higit sa lahat, sa taumbayang nagbigay sa inyo ng mandato,” the Facebook user added.
Another Pinoy also called the attention of Senate President Sherwin Gatchalian to the matter.
“Hi po, SP @stgatchalian, apologies po. I know you’re resting na, however, hoping po na mapagusapan niyo to with PO [Presiding Officer] Sen, Chiz and this will be addressed din. Parang nakakabastos kasi sa mga nanunuod ng trial, ta’s ‘yun mga ibang senator judges ganto lang naman ginagawa. Salamat po!” the X user said.
Others reminded the senators of their duties as senator-judges.
“Your one job as senator-judges is to LISTEN. To witnesses testifying, to evidence being presented. That’s literally the whole point of a trial. So how are you supposed to judge fairly when you’re taking hourly breaks and missing testimony, missing evidence???” a Filipino said.
Others drew a comparison to regular Filipino workers whose hours are strictly monitored by their employers.
“Sana talaga kaltas sweldo ‘pag undertime at no work, no pay para sa mga pala absent!” an X user said.
“If ordinary individuals leave their work unattended in front of their employers, they would be reprimanded. These parasitic dynasts must be voted out,” another Pinoy commented.
Sen. Migz Zubiri also reportedly raised concerns about the length of the trial, saying they had yet to eat dinner after spending “six hours” in the Plenary Hall at the time.
Impeachment Court spokesperson and lawyer Regie Tongol said senator-judges are allowed to leave the floor, as monitors and speakers are also available in the Senators’ Lounge.
“The senator-judges can go out of the plenary. Mayroon silang monitors at speaker doon sa Senator’s Lounge. So ‘pag nag-take ng break sila, nag-CR sila, naririnig pa rin nila ‘yung nangyayari sa floor,” he said.
Tongol also said that senator-judges who leave the plenary for a period of time are still legally considered present, provided they were checked during the initial roll call.
“Well, the Senate rules as a legislative body — suppletorily applicable ‘yan. So i-a-apply kung ano ‘yung ginagawa usually sa ordinary plenary session,” he said.
“So basta nagka-roll call na, you are already considered present. So even if you go out of the plenary, considered ka nang present for that day, for that session… Pwede rito po ma-late. Kanina po may na-late yata sa roll call,” Tongol added.
Twenty senators were recorded as having attended the July 13 proceedings.
They are serving as the impeachment court in the trial against Vice President Sara Duterte, who is facing complaints involving alleged grave threats and inciting to sedition, unexplained wealth and alleged misuse of confidential funds, as well as alleged bribery and corruption.
