Politics · Philippines Bureau
Go defends lounge break during Duterte impeachment trial proceedings
Senator Christopher Go clarified that his brief absence from the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte was merely a recess, insisting that he and two colleagues continued monitoring proceedings from the Senate lounge.
LSN Philippines ·
MANILA — Senator Christopher "Bong" Go on Wednesday defended his temporary departure from the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte, saying he and fellow senator-judges Robin Padilla and Mark Villar stepped away only for a short break.
Go explained that the three minority senators remained engaged with the trial proceedings despite their brief stint in the Senate lounge. He emphasized that their absence from the trial chamber was minimal and that they continued to follow developments in the high-stakes case.
The clarification came as questions arose about the senators' presence during key moments of the Vice President's impeachment proceedings. Go's statement sought to address concerns that the absence of minority senators during critical portions of the trial could be seen as inattentiveness to their judicial duties.
The impeachment trial of Duterte has drawn intense scrutiny as lawmakers weigh charges brought against the sitting Vice President. The presence and participation of all senator-judges has been closely monitored given the constitutional significance of impeachment proceedings.