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MANILA, Philippines — While changes have been made regarding the rules on impeachment trials, particularly on the possible designation of a presiding judge apart from the Senate president, Batangas Rep. Gerville Luistro believes acting Senate President Sherwin Gatchalian is capable enough to lead the trial.
In an online interview on Friday, Luistro was asked whether a special session would affect the looming impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte. Luistro said she does not think there would be any effect, but noted that the Senate might have to discuss the possibility that the Senate president is not the presiding judge for the impeachment trial.
Despite this change in the rules, Luistro — the lead public prosecutor for Duterte’s trial — said she thinks Gatchalian can serve as the presiding judge.
“They approved such a rule, which means that acting SP Win has two options right now — either he himself will preside over the impeachment trial, or the Senator-judges can decide to elect somebody to preside over the impeachment,” Luistro told reporters.
