Malacañang has called on the senator-judges to maintain their neutrality ahead of Vice President Sara Duterte’s impeachment trial, following remarks by one senator describing the proceedings as a “witch hunt” intended to stop her from running for president in 2028.

In a press briefing on Tuesday, Palace Press Officer Undersecretary Claire Castro said that while the executive branch is not involved in the impeachment process, the senators sitting as judges must avoid pre-judging the case.

“First of all, we have no role in the impeachment trial. But as senator-judges, it would be better to avoid such commentary. As Senator Chiz Escudero said, they should avoid statements like this that can reveal bias,” Castro told reporters.

She said that calling the impeachment trial a “witch hunt,” as Senator Miguel Zubiri did, before it begins is like a judge prejudging a case.

“They’re calling the impeachment trial a witch hunt even though the trial hasn’t even started yet. It’s like a judge saying someone is not guilty before hearing any evidence,” Castro said.

Asked if the senators who show signs of bias should recuse themselves, Castro replied that inhibition is not necessary but transparency is.

“They should not inhibit, but instead show the public through their conduct that they are acting for the people,” she said.

Lifetime ban

In February, the House of Representatives filed an impeachment complaint against Duterte, accusing her of betrayal of public trust, culpable violations of the Constitution, and/or committing high crimes for allegedly “contracting an assassin and plotting to murder or assassinate the incumbent President, the First Lady, and the Speaker of the House of Representatives.”

A conviction in the Senate would result in Duterte’s removal from office and a lifetime ban from holding public office.

The Senate convened as an impeachment court on 10 June but quickly returned the complaint to the House, citing constitutional issues. The trial is expected to start when the new Senate convenes on 28 July.

Party-list Rep. Leila de Lima criticized Zubiri for his remark, calling it an insult to both the House and the civil society groups that filed the initial impeachment complaints.

“It’s unfortunate and insulting, not just to the House, but also to the organizations that initiated the complaints,” De Lima, who is expected to join the House prosecution panel, said.

De Lima reiterated that the impeachment process is grounded on the Constitution and supported by verified charges.

“This isn’t a witch hunt. There is a legal basis. The charges were found sufficient at the House level,” she said.

De Lima, herself a former political detainee, added: “A witch hunt is when there’s no basis, only harassment and persecution. That’s not the case here. Comments like this only reflect a personal bias, which senator-judges must avoid.”

Meanwhile, House impeachment prosecutor and Iloilo Rep. Lorenz Defensor criticized Zubiri for his statement, calling it “unbecoming of a senator-judge.”

Receive evidence

“It’s very unbecoming of a senator-judge in an impeachment trial to say that the impeachment complaint and the trial is a witch hunt. It should not come from a senator-judge who is expected to receive the evidence with impartiality and to treat the impeachment as a constitutional process,” Defensor said.

“Because this is a constitutional process which must proceed to find justice not for the complainants but for the Filipinos. If it’s an acquittal, we should accept it. If it’s a conviction, they should accept it. But they should receive the evidence first,” he added.

Zubiri expressed his belief that the impeachment trial is a political maneuver aimed at sidelining the Vice President ahead of the 2028 elections.

“Of course, I have some biases. I believe this is a witch hunt meant to remove her from public service so others can take her place, and some won’t have a strong opponent come 2028,” he said.

“But I’ll set my bias aside because we must respect due process. This is a constitutional process and it cannot be altered. Violating itvmeans violating our oath to defend and uphold the Constitution of the Republic of the Philippines. So we must do what is right,” he said.

Zubiri noted that Duterte continues to lead in early surveys for the 2028 presidential race, a factor he said that is undoubtedly influencing many senators.