De Lima says 19-day impeachment trial sked `recipe for railroading’
File photo of Representative-elect Leila De Lima (Senate Public Relations and Information Bureau)
MANILA, Philippines — Mamamayang Liberal (ML) party-list Rep.-elect Leila de Lima on Monday described the proposal to hold in 19 days as “crazy,” calling it a “recipe for railroading.”
De Lima made the pronouncement after Senate Majority Leader Francis Tolentino earlier proposed a 19-day impeachment trial, with the Senate convening as an impeachment court on June 11 and then delivering judgment by June 30.
READ: Solons split on Tolentino bid for 19-day Sara Duterte impeachment trial
“The timeline proposed by Sen. Tolentino is actually a crazy proposal because after sitting on it for four months, now they’re cramming the schedules,” said De Lima, speaking in mixed English and Filipino, in a chance interview during a protest in front of the Senate.
De Lima said she believes that if the proposal is approved, the Senate would only end up “railroading” the trial into acquittal without even thoroughly looking into the evidence against Duterte.
“Don’t force the timeline that Sen. Tolentino is pushing because, for me, it’s a recipe or a prelude to railroading,” said de Lima in a chance interview.
De Lima further warned that forcing the trial into such a short period would be a violation of due process, stating that even the prosecution would choose to hold such a brief trial.
“Any seasoned lawyer, especially one experienced in courtroom trials, would say that is not at all realistic or practical,” she said.
Tolentino’s proposed schedule for the trial was based on the belief that the impeachment proceedings could not extend into the 20th Congress, as the current set of lawmakers will end their term on June 30.
De Lima, however, disputed this reasoning, maintaining that convening the impeachment court and holding the trial against Duterte is an “imperative constitutional duty” of the Senate.
Addressing Senate President Francis “Chiz” Escudero directly, de Lima said: “No more beating around the bush; no more alibis. No more excuses—it’s time for the Senate to do what the Constitution has mandated them to do.”/mr/abc
