Presidential Communications Office Undersecretary Claire Castro urged senator-judges to remain impartial during the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte [1].
The request comes as the trial enters a critical phase where the behavior of the presiding judges could influence the perceived legitimacy of the legal proceedings. Ensuring that the process remains evidence-based rather than partisan is central to maintaining public trust in the Philippine judicial system.
Speaking Aug. 6, 2026 [1], Castro said that senator-judges should limit their role to asking clarificatory questions. She said that they should not engage in cross-examining witnesses [1]. This distinction is intended to preserve the role of the senators as impartial arbiters of the law rather than active litigants or prosecutors.
This guidance from the Palace aligns with sentiments expressed within the Senate chamber. On the third day of the trial [2], an unnamed Senate judge said that the court must stick to the evidence [2]. The judge's remark followed a period of tension as both sides presented their arguments during the proceedings in Manila [2].
The Palace emphasized that the goal of the trial is to establish the truth through due process [1]. A Palace Press Officer said that senator-judges must remain impartial and unbiased throughout the trial [1]. By focusing on evidence-based deliberation, the administration suggests the trial can avoid becoming a political debate.
Castro's comments highlight a concern that the trial could deviate from legal standards if judges act as interrogators. The PCO maintains that a strict adherence to the rules of evidence is the only way to ensure a fair outcome for the Vice President [1].
“"Senator-judges should limit their role to asking clarificatory questions, not cross-examining witnesses."”
The intervention by the Presidential Communications Office suggests a strategic effort to ensure the impeachment trial follows a strict legal framework rather than a political one. By advocating for a limited role for senator-judges, the administration seeks to prevent the proceedings from appearing as a partisan exercise, which could otherwise trigger further political instability or public unrest in the Philippines.
