Former Senator Richard Gordon is warning the Senate not to repeat the mistakes of the 2001 Estrada impeachment trial, saying the public uprising known as EDSA Dos was a direct consequence of people losing faith in the process.
Gordon issued the warning in an interview on DZRH News program Special on Saturday on May 2, as impeachment proceedings against Vice President Sara Duterte appeared headed to the Senate following hearings at the House Committee on Justice.
“Nagkaroon ng EDSA 2 dahil hindi na happy ‘yung tao na hindi nabuksan yung envelope,” Gordon said, referring to the Senate vote that blocked the opening of a key piece of evidence during the Estrada trial.
He said the lesson from that episode is clear: senators sitting as judges in an impeachment trial must set aside partisan loyalties and let the evidence determine the outcome.
“Kahit na ikaw kakampi mo ‘yung ililitisin o kalaban mo, hindi ka pwedeng decided na isumpa diyan. Makinig ka sa ebidensya,” Gordon said.
Gordon noted that senators are already caucusing on how to conduct themselves, and said those who have publicly commented on the case should stop, as they are now effectively serving as judges.
“Wala na silang dapat komentaryo. Senatorial judge na sila eh,” he said.
He cited survey data showing 85 percent of Filipinos want impeachment proceedings against the Vice President to push through, saying the public’s expectations make impartiality all the more critical.
Gordon stressed that the Senate’s ability to enforce the law against anyone—regardless of position or alliance—is what is ultimately on the line in the coming trial.
“Ang nakataya diyan hindi lang yung karangalan ng Senado, yung ating perception sa buong mundo na meron tayong sense of justice, na kaya nating i-enforce ang batas natin kahit na sino. Wala tayong sinisino, kahit pinakamataas ka,” he said.
