Sen. Alan Peter Cayetano was reminded of his role as a senator-judge in the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte following his actions on the second day of the proceedings.
The senator commented on the debate between the House prosecution panel and Duterte’s defense team over whether they play the two-minute clip or the two-hour video containing alleged threats against President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., First Lady Liza Araneta Marcos and then-House Speaker Martin Romualdez.
Cayetano suggested playing the entire video, saying it was important in assessing Duterte’s remarks, which are the subject of the fourth article of impeachment covering alleged grave threats, an assassination plot and inciting to sedition against the government.
“Kung pinanood ko muna ‘yung 30 minutes, then may ie-emphasize na 30 seconds… pinapanood muna ‘yung buo and then saka papanoorin ‘yung maiksi na ine-emphasize para walang pre-judgment,” the senator-judge said.
The defense team also requested that the entire video be played during the impeachment trial.
Meanwhile, Cayetano’s suggestion to watch the two-hour video at the Senate drew reactions from many viewers, who viewed it as a possible way to “delay” the proceedings.
“Parte ba ng defense si Alan Peter o senator judge? Nalilito ako o baka siya ang nalito?” radio and podcast host DJ Chacha asked.
“Senator judge ka ha, not counsel of the defense, chill,” another Filipino commented.
“Please orient Allan [to] his role as senator-judge, akala niya kasi lawyer siya ni Sarah,” a different Facebook user said.
“Kala ko judge sila… Parang part siya ng defense,” another Pinoy commented.
A senator-judge is a senator acts as a juror during an impeachment trial.
Cayetano is known to be an ally of Duterte.
Meanwhile, it can be recalled that the vice president made remarks during a November 2024 Zoom press conference about supposedly hiring an assassin to kill Marcos, his wife and Romualdez should something bad happen to her.
The House prosecution team is expected to tackle Article IV over 11 trial days. — with reports from Philstar.com/Ian Laqui