Abante questions fairness of absent senators voting on Duterte impeachment

Rep. Bienvenido "Benny" Abante Jr., chair of the House Committee on Human Rights, has questioned the fairness of permitting senators who missed portions of Vice President Sara Duterte's impeachment trial to cast votes on the case. Abante raised the issue during an online media conference Friday, suggesting that senators absent from trial proceedings may lack sufficient information to make an informed decision on the charges against the Vice President.

The concern touches on fundamental questions of judicial fairness and due process as the Senate court moves toward issuing its ruling. Typically, tribunal members are expected to be present throughout proceedings to evaluate evidence and testimony firsthand, a principle that underpins many legal systems.

The impeachment trial of Duterte has drawn significant public attention and political scrutiny in recent weeks. The Senate, acting as an impeachment court under the Philippines' constitutional framework, must determine whether charges against the Vice President warrant conviction and removal from office.

Abante's remarks suggest growing discussion among lawmakers about the procedural integrity of the impeachment process. The question remains whether the Senate will establish or enforce attendance requirements for voting senators, or whether it will allow full participation by all members regardless of their presence during trial proceedings.