PRESIDING SENATOR-JUDGE ESCUDERO:
(0:00:00) Thank you, Senator-Judge Zubiri. What is the pleasure of Senator-Judge Alan Cayetano?
SENATOR-JUDGE ALAN PETER CAYETANO:
(0:00:06) I’m not going to ask a question, just for clarification. May I just put it on the record?
PRESIDING SENATOR-JUDGE ESCUDERO:
(0:00:10) The gentleman may proceed, and he has two minutes.
SENATOR-JUDGE ALAN PETER CAYETANO:
(0:00:12) If you look at the articles of impeachment, Article 4, Respondent, Vice President, Sara Duterte committed culpable violation of the Constitution, high crimes, and betrayed public trust by contracting for the assassination by the President, the First Lady, and the former Speaker of the House by making grave threats and actively inciting sedition against the public. To be fair to the prosecution, I think it was asked of them that merely threatening for you is already, I hope I’m representing it correct, is already impeachable, either high crimes, grave threats, or by culpable violation. But there’s a difference between saying that, that mere statement is impeachable by alleging that she did in fact contract someone to kill.
(0:01:08) Because if you look at the next page, it is the position of the prosecution of the House of Representatives. The fact that responded, contracted an assassin no longer requires further proof, as it is already established under the matter of light of her own public admission. That’s a conclusion of law. Because it is basic that if someone alleges that someone contracted an assassin, you have to prove.
(0:01:36) So what I wanted to clarify, and to be fair to both sides, you can comment. As far as I’m concerned, ang understanding ko, the prosecution did not stop short by saying that by merely uttering that, that is impeachable. They went further to say that they are alleging that she did in fact contract an assassin. In fact, nowhere in her words, assassin, in the words of the vice president, was assassin or contracted. Contracted means may kontrata. Sinabi niya lang may kinausap siya.
(0:02:10) And yung assassin came from, at least on these documents, from them. So I just want to clarify because baka yung manunod, bakit nga naman hindi kailangan i-prove, eh nasabi in public.
(0:02:23) What I wanted to clarify, those are two different things. Whether the threat as said is an impeachable offense. But if you’re alleging that there was an actual assassin contracted, you have to prove that. As far as I’m concerned.
WITNESS JEREMY LOTOC:
(0:02:35) Your Honor, can I reply to that?
PRESIDING SENATOR-JUDGE ESCUDERO:
(0:02:36) No need to reply. Senator-Judge Cayetano was not asking a question. He was merely making a manifestation for the record. Let’s move on, counsel. Counsel for the respondent. If you’re ready with your cross, you may proceed.
