MANILA — Sen. Risa Hontiveros rejected suggestions that senator-judges in the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte have already formed a decision, stressing that the Senate must first hear all evidence before ruling on the case.

Hontiveros made the statement in a media interview in Cebu City, following concerns that the impeachment court would no longer properly examine evidence during the proceedings.

“We are waiting for the first time, finally, marinig anumang mga ebidensya, mapakinggan, maaring matanong ang sinumang mga witnesses na iharap sa amin, both ng prosecution at ng defense (to hear whatever evidence is presented, listen to and possibly question witnesses brought before us by both the prosecution and the defense),” she said.

The senator said the claims that the Senate would immediately decide on the impeachment case without reviewing evidence were inaccurate, noting that lawmakers took an oath as senator-judges and are preparing to fulfill that role impartially.

She added that while the impeachment court has already conducted pre-trial proceedings, including the handling of documents and preliminary matters, the trial proper will be the stage where evidence is formally presented.

“So, I think imposible na mag-decide na lang kami at the outset. Kasi paano namin gagawin? Hindi namin puwedeng gawin ‘yun unless marinig nga po namin itong lahat ng ito (It is impossible for us to simply decide at the outset. How could we do that? We cannot do that unless we hear all of these first),” she said.

Hontiveros also said that testimonies, documents, and other pieces of evidence presented during the trial will serve as the basis for each senator-judge’s decision.

The impeachment trial of Sara Duterte is scheduled to begin on July 6.