The head of the University of Santo Tomas (UST) Political Science Department has urged the public to give non-lawyer senators a chance to prove themselves as impartial judges in the looming impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte.

“This impeachment only highlights the limitation of those lawmakers who are not lawyers. But let’s give them a chance,” said Prof. Dennis Coronacion on Usapang OFW, a DAILY TRIBUNE digital show.

Nonetheless, Coronacion called attention to the growing sentiment that the Senate should be composed of lawmakers with legal training.

“Various people are saying that maybe it’s about time that the Senate is filled with lawyers to evade funny and irrelevant comments,” he said.

He was apparently referring to a comment made by Sen. Robin Padilla that if burned, he would “smell like Duterte.” Padilla also filed a resolution seeking the dismissal of the impeachment complaint.

Coronacion said the trial will give both camps the opportunity to present their case.

“This is the time for the Vice President to prove that she is only a victim of political persecution and her political foes are just smearing her name,” he said.

“And for those who would want the VP to be convicted… this will also be the perfect chance to present convincing evidence,” he added.

In a separate statement, the UST Political Science Department urged the senators to begin the trial “not out of haste or hatred… but in fidelity to the majesty of the law and the supremacy of conscience.”