Cayetano: Impartial tribunal key to public accountability
Senator-judge Alan Peter Cayetano on Monday stressed that an impartial tribunal is a prerequisite for holding public officials accountable as the Senate impeachment court entered Day 24 of Vice President Sara Duterte’s impeachment trial on September 14, 2026.
In his exchange with prosecution witness retired Sandiganbayan Presiding Justice Amparo Cabotaje-Tang, Cayetano said lack of impartiality could put accountability at risk, particularly if a ruling could be overturned on appeal or rejected by the public.
“Is it correct to say that ‘pag hindi impartial y’ung court, nari-risk na hindi magkaroon ng accountability? Kasi pwedeng ma-overturn sa appeal or people may not accept the judgement, or in other words, the impartiality of any tribunal is essential. Would you agree with that?” he asked.
Tang agreed, saying the impartiality of a court “will largely impact on the proper dispensation of justice.”
Cayetano also linked impartiality to judicial independence, noting that pressures could affect the conduct of tribunals.
“In reality, there is dependence, co-dependence, as well as independence. And in reality, there can be pressures,” he said.
The Senator-judge also emphasized the broader implications of how the impeachment court conducts the proceedings, warning that its decisions and adherence to the rules could affect the country for decades.
“This impeachment court’s decision and how we conduct ourselves and whether we follow the rules or not will determine our destiny not only in the next years. That’s why these are very important questions,” Cayetano said.
Cayetano urged the Senate to strengthen the judiciary and ensure that judges remain independent in carrying out their constitutional duties.
“We hope that the Senate can do its part in strengthening the Sandiganbayan, [and] the Judiciary to support each and every judge [so] that they will remain independent and true to their oath of blindly following the Constitution, our laws, and dispensing justice,” Cayetano said.
Filipino Version
Cayetano: Walang accountability kung hindi patas ang tribunal
Sa ika-24 na araw ng impeachment trial ni Vice President Sara Duterte nitong Lunes, iginiit ni Senator-judge Alan Peter Cayetano na kailangang maging impartial o patas ang tribunal para matiyak ang accountability ng mga opisyal ng gobyerno.
Sa kanyang pagtatanong sa prosecution witness na si retired Sandiganbayan Presiding Justice Amparo Cabotaje-Tang, sinabi ni Cayetano na maaaring mawala ang tiwala sa isang desisyon kung may duda sa pagiging patas ng hukuman.
Maaari rin aniyang mabaligtad sa apela ang desisyon o hindi ito tanggapin ng publiko.
“Is it correct to say that ‘pag hindi impartial y’ung court, nari-risk na hindi magkaroon ng accountability? Kasi pwedeng ma-overturn sa appeal or people may not accept the judgement, or in other words, the impartiality of any tribunal is essential. Would you agree with that?” tanong ni Cayetano.
Sumang-ayon si Tang at sinabing malaki ang epekto ng pagiging impartial o patas ng korte sa pagpapatupad ng hustisya.
Para kay Cayetano, mahalaga rin ang judicial independence dahil may mga pressure na maaaring makaapekto sa mga tribunal at sa mga gumaganap dito.
“In reality, there is dependence, co-dependence, as well as independence. And in reality, there can be pressures,” sabi niya.
Binigyang diin ni Cayetano na hindi lang ang kasalukuyang impeachment trial ang nakasalalay sa paraan ng paghawak ng Senate impeachment court sa kaso.
Aniya, maaaring magkaroon ng pangmatagalang epekto sa bansa ang mga magiging desisyon ng impeachment court, pati na ang pagsunod nito sa mga umiiral na rules.
“This impeachment court’s decision and how we conduct ourselves and whether we follow the rules or not will determine our destiny not only in the next years. That’s why these are very important questions,” sabi ni Cayetano.
Kasabay nito, hinimok ni Cayetano ang Senado na patuloy na palakasin ang Sandiganbayan at ang buong Judiciary upang matiyak na mananatiling independent ang mga hukom.
“We hope that the Senate can do its part in strengthening the Sandiganbayan, [and] the Judiciary to support each and every judge [so] that they will remain independent and true to their oath of blindly following the Constitution, our laws, and dispensing justice,” wika ni Cayetano.
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