WATCH: Impeachment Should Not Mirror A Criminal Trial – Former Law Dean
#Storycon | Lawyer Ralph Sarmiento, former dean of the University of St. La Salle College of Law, said impeachment cases should not be treated like ordinary criminal proceedings.
He urged senator-judges to focus on constitutional standards rather than strictly applying criminal law procedures.
Sarmiento also said the numerous objections raised during the first week of the impeachment trial gave the impression that the proceedings had become overly technical.
He said impeachment should prioritize uncovering the truth instead of getting bogged down by procedural disputes.
And after the defense repeatedly cited the alleged “Oplan Romanov” to explain the context behind Vice President Sara Duterte's controversial remarks, Sarmiento said they now carry the burden of presenting corroborating evidence if they intend to rely on it as part of their defense.
Political analyst and lawyer Michael Yusingco also told “Sa Totoo Lang” on One PH that an impeachment trial is different from a criminal one.
