Published - No interviews during Merci trial

By Sammy Martin Reporter

SENATE President Juan Ponce Enrile over the weekend urged his colleagues in the Senate, especially those who are not lawyers, to refrain from making comments or giving interviews during the impeachment trial of Ombudsman Merceditas Gutierrez as doing so might cast doubts on the integrity of the proceedings.

In a chance interview, Enrile stressed that no senator should speak against or in favor of Gutierrez during the trial so as not to affect the merits of the case.

The Senate president warned that senators who would issue damaging remarks against the respondent would be asked to inhibit.
“We ask that you inhibit yourselves,” he said.

Enrile issued the warning to avoid being accused of pre-judging the trial which will commence upon the resumption of congressional sessions next month.

At the same time, the Senate chief reminded the public that the impeachment trial is a political exercise and that the stand of every political party and its leaders will have an impact on the case.

Enrile, who will seat as the presiding judge once the Senate has convened itself into an impeachment court, explained that if Gutierrez would want to stop the proceedings she has the option to resign.