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Various groups of protesters held rallies outside the Senate building in Pasay City on Monday, the first day of the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte.
One portion along J.W. Diokno Boulevard was occupied by progressive groups while on the opposite side of a barrier made of barbed wire were people who claimed to be supporters of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.
Despite their differences, the two factions were in agreement one thing: for Duterte to be impeached.\
After a brief period of tension with the police, the progressive protesters were able to push through with their program outside the Senate. Their makeshift stage had banners that said, “Sara, Litisin, Panagutin (Sara, Trial, Make Her Accountable)!”
The protesters can also be heard chanting: “Impeach! Impeach! Impeach, Sara now!”
The program coincided with the trial that began at 2 p.m. From time-to-time, the protesters were updated on what was happening inside the upper chamber.
During the start of the proceedings inside the Senate, Senator Francis “Chiz” Escudero on Monday afternoon was formally elected as presiding officer of the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte.
Escudero was nominated to the post by Senator Panfilo Lacson amid the opposition of Minority Leader Alan Peter Cayetano and the minority bloc.
Twelve senators voted in favor of Escudero’s election, while eight were against.
For his part, BAYAN Secretary General Mong Palatino said the trial should proceed no matter who will preside.
“We believe that the trial should proceed whoever will be the presiding officer…the session today provides a glimpse of what the minority is capable of doing, of delaying the hearing, of disrupting the session…so if the minority is capable of delaying the session, then the people should be ready to condemn the minority,” he told reporters.
“The challenge is addressed to all senator judges that the senate trial should proceed,” he added.
While the progressives demanded for Duterte’s impeachment, a small group of Duterte supporters flashed a banner that said, “No to VP Sara Impeachment. No To Fake Impeachment. No To Political Persecution.”
The program of the progressive groups ended at past 3 p.m. and they marched back towards the former Manila Film Center. With their departure another group staged its program.
This group wore white and red shirts and claimed to be Marcos supporters.
The pro-Marcos protesters also pushed for Duterte’s impeachment.
“Kung malinis ka, humarap ka sa trial (if you’re clean, face the trial)!”, the host on stage shouted.
“Wala nang drama, drama, trial na!” he further exclaimed.
The white-clad protesters waved banners that said: “Buksan ang katotohanan! Buksan ang BIR Box!” and “Ako na Magbabayad ng Grab Ni Inday Wala Kasi Siyang Cash on Hand.”
(Open the truth! Open the BIT Box! I will pay for Inday’s Grab because she has no cash on hand.)
Their brief program ended after 4 p.m.
Duterte was absent during the formal opening of her impeachment trial. Michael Poa, one of her lawyers, said the country’s second-highest official opted to appear before the Senate impeachment court through her legal counsel
The National Capital Region Police Office said it will remain on full alert as protests are expected to continue in the coming days. On Monday, the NCRPO recorded a crowd estimate of more than 300. —RF, GMA News
