Will impeachment trial prosecutors resign? Not anymore, says Chua

Thus, said prosecutor Manila 3rd district Rep. Joel Chua, with the revelation shelving a proposal for some of them to resign from the panel so they could speak publicly about the merits of the case.

“We have decided, wala na lang munang mag-resign,” Chua said Tuesday, Sept. 1 following day 20 of the high-stakes proceedings.

The panel considered a reshuffle after the Senate impeachment court reiterated the sub judice rule, or the limits on public comments about matters being tried.

One option was for selected House prosecutors to leave the panel and serve only as spokespersons. “Noong una, isa iyon sa mga naging discussion kung ganoon ang mangyayari. Kasi iyon ang talagang unang option,” Chua said.  (At first, that was one of the discussions, if that was what would happen. Because that was really the first option).

The idea drew support from lawyers working with the team. “May mga suggestion ang ibang private prosecutor at public prosecutor na may ilan mag-resign para maging spokesperson.”  (Some private prosecutors and public prosecutors suggested that some members resign so they could serve as spokespersons).

But Chua said the prosecution members ultimately chose continuity. He noted that changing the structure of the team at this stage would require finding replacements.

“After considering everything, total isang buwan na lang kung masusunod iyong ating target…Too late na kung magbabawas tayo at magdadagdag pa,” Chua said.  (After considering everything, there’s only about a month left if we follow our target…It’s too late if we start removing and adding members).

As such, the team will keep public briefings focused on schedules, witness sequencing, and other procedural updates.

More importantly, Chua said the prosectors “will just try to explain things in a way that does not touch on the merits [of the case]”.

That was also why Chua, a public prosecutor, appeared at Tuesday’s briefing. He said reporters could still ask about what comes next without forcing prosecutors into a public discussion of the evidence.

“Baka may magtanong tungkol sa procedural aspect outside the merits of the case, so I can answer that,” said the veteran lawmaker from Manila.  (Someone might ask about the procedural aspects outside the merits of the case, so I can answer that).

The approach allows the public to receive practical updates while the same prosecutors continue their work inside the impeachment court, Chua said.

It also preserves the team’s current assignments as the prosecution tries to finish article I on confidential funds and move to the remaining articles of impeachment against Duterte.

Fifteen private prosecutors are helping the solon-prosecutors gain a conviction from the respondent, free of charge.

— Ellson Quismorio