MALACANANG on Tuesday called on senator-judges to maintain neutrality and refrain from making premature judgments in the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte.
The appeal came after Senate minority leader Juan Miguel Zubiri labeled the upcoming trial as a “witch-hunt.”
In a press briefing on Tuesday, Palace Press Officer Claire Castro emphasized the importance of impartiality among senator-judges.
“We have no involvement in the impeachment process,” Castro said.
“But as Senator Francis Escudero has previously stated, senator-judges must avoid issuing statements that may reveal their biases. Calling it a witch-hunt even before the trial begins is inappropriate — it’s like acquitting someone before seeing any evidence.”
Zubiri, while acknowledging the trial must push through in accordance with the 1987 Constitution, said he believed the impeachment was driven by efforts to remove Duterte from public office in advance of the 2028 elections.
“Yes, I have some bias. But I’ll set it aside to uphold the process,” Zubiri said on Monday.
Meanwhile, Iloilo 3rd District Rep. Lorenz Defensor also criticized Zubiri’s remarks, saying senator-judges should wait for the presentation of evidence before casting judgment.
“Statements like these undermine the integrity of the proceedings,” Defensor said. “Senator-judges are expected to be fair and impartial.”
