The Philippine Online Chronicles

Impeachment presiding officer Juan Ponce Enrile vowed that even if impeachment trial is political in nature, the senator-judges will proceed with the trial with impartiality and an open mind.

“While it has often been said that by and large the trial of an impeachment case is political in nature, nonetheless such is neither an excuse nor a license for us to ignore and abandon our solemn and higher obligation and responsibility as a body of jurors to see to it that the Bill of Rights are observed and that justice is served and to conduct the trial with impartiality and fairness to hear the case with a clear and open and mind”.

Senator Pia Cayetano provides us an understanding of the procedure and the intent of the Constitution would help everyone understand this process better. There is indeed “no doubt that when the Senators sit as judges we do so separate from our function as law makers. We sit as judges in the impeachment trial and we are required to act with the cold neutrality of a judge, devoid of bias and partialities.”

As citizens, can we face the same proceedings with an open mind?

What can citizens do?

While the senators do their jobs, what can we as citizens do? While the Constitution guarantees freedom of expression, I believe opinions need to be based on facts. Not merely facts based on news reports but facts that are yet to be investigated by the impartial senator-judges. Before this trial started, I  perceived two courts: the Court of Public Opinion and the Senate Impeachment Court.

We all play a role in the impeachment process. It was pointed out by Senator Cayetano that “[O]ne of the demands of a democratic society is that the public should know what goes on in the courts by being informed by the press what is happening there, to the end that the public may judge whether our system of administration of justice is fair and right (Trial by Publicity, Arsenio Solidum. Philippine Law Journal, September 1959).

As citizens, our role here is to support the process set out by the Constitution, to be patient and continue to be vigilant and lastly, to share critical but fair analysis.

If we expect fairness from our senator-judges, then “perhaps the same principle of political neutrality will go along way in helping each other understand the issues without being swayed by personal or political leanings. This will then elevate the discussion and would go a long way to help the Senators focus on the evidence on hand and not on public perception.”

Democracy and rule of law

I agree with Cocoy when he says it is “ about setting things right. “It is about putting our affairs in order. It is about a nation such as we have been governed for much of our history, and how we must now turn it around. It is about government money being spent on our people. It is about tomorrow’s generation, and their right that the generation in charge doesn’t steal their future. It is about this generation, and the many generations to come being held accountable.”

But I also believe it is about being innocent until proven guilty. Can you imagine if that happened to you? If due process is not followed, there is no rule of law. How can there be a future for our children if their liberties will be compromised? Do we really want a trial by publicity?  There is due process under a democracy.

While we are all entitled to have opinions, these should all be made after learning relevant facts about the focus of the decision. Basing opinions on breaking stories such as Corona’s alleged wealth just do not cut it because evidence or manner of getting evidence has to be examined first.

Ways to understand the impeachment process

It is my belief that readers should be presented with both sides, to understand the truth and form opinions based on facts. One should never depend on one source even if you voted for the President or not.

These are just some of the ways I am doing to understand the facts of the impeachment trial.

1. Understand the impeachment process. Read and compare these two primers masterfuldeceit.blogspot.com/ and spacelab.2720.tv/infographics/Corona

The impeachment trial at the Senate will help educate our people regarding democracy, the duties of public officials and will show them that there are legal means to remove officials of questionable integrity from office and to seek accountability.

2. Read the Full text of the Articles of impeachment .

3. Read reply of CJ Corona to impeachment complaint

4. Watch live proceedings via livestream

- Senate: www.senate.gov.ph/videos/live2.asp

- PTV Philippines: http://www.ustream.tv/user/PTVPhilippines

- Twitter hashtags : blogwatch.tv/livestream

5. Watch this video explain that the President, the Senate and Congressmen are there for the people because they were elected but it doesn’t mean they are God and dictate the law without due process.

6. Share your views based on facts using #CJtrialWatch hashtag

7. Read blog posts and opinions about the Impeachment trial.

Each of us have a role to perform. If we do it well, we can reach a different level of political maturity and democracy. And in the process, strengthen our institutions which will make for a stronger nation.

Photo from Senate of the Philippines website. Screencap from youtube video. Some rights reserved.