Robes for Merci impeachment trial arrive at Senate

The Senate has begun its preparations for the impeachment trial of Ombudsman Merceditas Gutierrez in May.

In an interview with reporters, deputy Senate secretary Edwin Bellen said that 10 of the 23 robes which will be worn by the senator-judges during the trial have already been delivered to the Senate. The second and last batch of 13 robes is expected to be delivered on Tuesday, according to a dzBB radio report by Nimfa Ravelo. The robes, colored scarlet with gold linings, were reportedly patterned by its makers GSA Academic Regalia from those worn by the London Parliament. Bellen said the robes are worth around P4,000 to P5,000 each. The robes will be worn by the senators when they take their oath as judges at Gutierrez's trial on May 9, when Congress also resumes session. Meanwhile, the Senate has also reportedly bought four lapel microphones and had a witness stand created for the trial. The Senate session hall has likewise been prepared for the trial, with the seating arrangement allotting spaces for the senator-judges, congressmen-prosecutors, and private prosecutors. Section 3, Article XI of the 1987 Constitution says that the House of Representatives shall have the exclusive power to initiate all cases of impeachment while the Senate shall have the sole power to try and decide all the cases of impeachment. Gutierrez was impeached due to alleged betrayal of public trust for her office’s supposed inaction on several high-profile cases, including some that involved former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, who appointed her in 2005. - Kimberly Jane Tan/KBK, GMA News