Let Chief Justice Preside; Teach Senators How To Judge

The Chief Justice should preside over Vice President Sara Duterte's impeachment trial.

- JARIUS BONDOC

It shouldn't be the Senate President, who may succeed as VP if Sara is convicted.

That's what the Constitution states, University of Asia and the Pacific Institute of Law dean Jeremy Gatdula reminds.

Senator-judges must be taught the rudiments of judicial trial, senator-elect Tito Sotto says. Training must include how to ask questions and weigh evidence.

Gatdula connects two constitutional provisions:

• Article VII, Executive Department, Section 3, "There shall be a Vice President who shall have the same qualifications and term of office and be elected with, and in the same manner, as the President. He may be removed from office in the same manner as the President."

• Article XI, Accountability of Public Officers, Section 3-(6), ".When the President of the Philippines is on trial, the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court shall preside, but shall not vote."

The framers of the 1987 Constitution sought to avert ulterior motive and bias. More so since the Senate President is next to the VP in line of succession.

Gatdula cites two provisions on succession:

• Article VII, Section 9, "Whenever there is a vacancy in the Office of the Vice President during the term for which he was elected, the President shall nominate a Vice President from among the Members of the Senate and the House of Representatives who shall assume office upon confirmation by a majority vote of all the Members of both Houses of the Congress, voting separately."