The impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte should be conducted and explained in a language ordinary Filipinos can understand, former lawmaker Robert Ace Barbers said Monday.
“We agreed really that when we speak, especially when we know that a lot of Filipinos are watching, dapat puwedeng Tagalog-in (must be in Tagalog), except for some technical terms,” Barbers said in an interview on Bilyonaryo News Channel.
Barbers, the impeachment adviser and spokesperson of the House prosecution panel, said the prosecution supports the use of both English and Filipino so the public can better understand the issues, evidence and procedures in the trial of the country’s second-highest official.
He said the trial should not become a technical courtroom exercise because it concerns public accountability and affects all Filipinos.
“It’s not very easy to educate people about the process. Kaya nga kung makakasalita tayo sa ating wika na Tagalog (so if we can speak in our Tagalog language), it will now become more relatable and understandable to ordinary mamamayang Pilipino (Filipino citizens),” Barbers said.
He added that even Filipinos outside legal and political circles should be able to follow the proceedings, including the presentation of evidence and testimony.
Barbers said the use of the native language is among the procedural matters the impeachment court is expected to address. He expressed confidence that allowing Filipino in appropriate portions of the proceedings would help improve public understanding.
He also stressed that the impeachment case should be decided based on evidence, not “political arithmetic” or speculation about Senate votes.
“It’s not about political arithmetic. What is important is that ilatag muna yung ebidensya, pakinggan ng tao (lay down first the evidence, let the people listen),” he said.
He added that the prosecution welcomes the presentation of evidence in open court, saying it should speak for itself.
“The evidence must speak for itself, so to speak. Because this will prove that the allegations of the prosecution are confirmed by the evidence that was revealed,” he said, adding that the defense would also have the opportunity to present counter-evidence. (PNA)