MANILA — Some members of the House prosecution panel in the impeachment proceedings against Vice President Sara Duterte said Sen. Jinggoy Estrada, who is facing graft and plunder cases, should not be allowed to vote in the impeachment trial.

In a report, it saiid that Manila 3rd District Rep. Joel Chua said the final vote of the Senate impeachment court should be based only on senator-judges who actively attend and participate in the proceedings.

“Kasi po, papaano ka boboto kung hindi ka naman nag-participate sa impeachment trial. So parang isang huwes, paano po siya magre-render ng kanyang verdict, whether guilty or not, kung hindi naman niya nakita ‘yung mga sinabi ng mga testigo,” Chua said in a media forum on Saturday.

Batangas 2nd District Rep. Gerville Luistro, the lead prosecutor, said laws provide for suspension of public officials facing plunder charges.

“Nasa plunder law na yan nasa anti-graft and corrupt practices law na yan na kapag may kaso, suspended din ang public official,” Luistro said in a DZMM interview on Friday.

Kabataan Party-list Rep. Renee Co, panel spokesperson, said Senate impeachment rules would limit Estrada’s participation in the proceedings.

“The Senate Rules of Impeachment have not changed and absent session na isi-schedule before July 6, we have no reason to believe that hindi mag-prevail yung correct rules ng impeachment which puts limitations on Sen. Jinggoy Estrada’s participation,” Co said.

Estrada, however, maintained that questions over his participation remain unresolved.

“Those claiming otherwise display a troubling disregard for due process and the orderly administration of justice,” Estrada said.

The Senate impeachment court is scheduled to hold its pre-trial conference on June 18, where witnesses and testimonies will be identified and organized.

Chua also said the House prosecution panel is still weighing whether Vice President Duterte should be placed on the witness stand, noting she would be subject to cross-examination.

He added that securing a conviction would not require all four articles of impeachment, saying even a single strong article may be sufficient.

“Depende po kasi kung sa tingin po namin, after two, one, two, or three articles, tingin namin, matibay na yung aming ebidensya, hindi na po namin kailangan tapusin ‘yung apat na articles,” he said.