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I could tell from lead prosecutor Rep. Jinky Luistro‘s face as she took to the podium that something was up, something serious, and she couldn’t seem to decide what kind of face to put on it, betrayed by a visible twitch from her usual pa-pleasant mien to pa-serious and resolute, even, grim, as befitted such a bombshell.
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My immediate reaction when I heard Luistro citing, among other reasons, public impatience with the prolonged proceedings, was, HA? But is it good for the public na walang closure on the Grave Threats and Confidential Funds complaints? After all that, we get no final judgement on the two Articles, walang clear, firm, unambiguous decision from the senator-judges if the VP is impeachable or not on either charge? Bitin, di ba. Hindi nalalayo sa objection ng Defense na matapos “siraan” ng Prosecution ang VP over Grave Threats and Confidential Funds, biglang hindi na nila mailalahad ang kanilang alternative version of events.
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But earlier in the proceedings, the Defense had the option to present their rebuttal, per Article, immediately after hearing the evidence of the Prosecution. They said no. Sabi nga ng isang Facebook friend:
Seems defense wanted prosecution to lay out all cards on all charges first, so defense could swoop in and rebut them all with whatever evidence they claim they have, and hope to memorably close trial with a strong last word on everything. The risk was, withdrawal of any charge could dispense with the court’s need to hear the defense’s response on what had already been presented. Defense played that game, which has turned out to be a big miscalculation.
Either hindi na-anticipate ng Defense ang galaw ng Prosecution, or na-anticipate nila but thought it couldn’t happen anymore once the Prosecution had presented their evidence, or sumugal sila at natalo.
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Say ni lead Defense counsel Michael Poa sa Headstart, for Grave Threats they had planned to establish context — that the VP herself was under threat — and I imagine that they would have insisted it was just a “conditional threat”. For Confidential Funds, they were prepared to explain about Mary Grace Piattos atbp. Also, that they had planned to subpoena witnesses who are not aligned with the Defense, as in, hostile witnesses! Among them, sabi ng isang bubwit sa Facebook, sina Madriaga, Trillanes, at Matibag. Kung totoo, ‘twould have been quite a show.
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But. We do not have the luxury of time to indulge in lengthy Defense theatrics, which would bring no closure anyway from the Senator-Judges on the two Articles. The Prosecution took 38 days to present some 40 witnesses for 3 Articles. How long kayâ would the Defense take to present some 90 witnesses (though that number includes witnesses for the Bribery charge that was dropped earlier)? Tila hanggang March 2027 daw, if not later, given the Defense’s strategic delaying tactics that could include a run to the Supremes for this or that, hopefully to keep the Trial going until campaign period for 2028? It could be another reason why they’re so upset about the Prosecution dropping three Articles. Kasi, ngayong isa na lang, yung Undeclared Wealth, may pag-asang matapos before Christmas, para magkaalaman na finally, and we could all plan accordingly.
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As for the Defense’s complaint na nasiraan ang VP sa publiko nang bonggang-bongga over the Grave Threats and Confidential Funds hearings, parang hindi totoo. She still keeps topping the surveys, steady at some 50 % more or less, and I suspect that it has mostly to do with the Tatay being in jail and on trial in The Hague. Pakikiramay baga. Which should tell us that we need to get our act together, literally and figuratively, to unite the other 50 % behind one candidate in 2028, and to make ligaw some of her 50 %, for a fighting chance man lang, or else.
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