Edited impeachment clip puts Pia Cayetano under ethical scrutiny

National

A VIDEO posted by Sen. Pia Cayetano has landed her in the Senate ethics panel after women’s rights advocates, academics and civil society groups accused her of splicing impeachment trial footage in a way that allegedly distorted a prosecutor’s remarks.

Tindig Pilipinas filed the ethics complaint on Wednesday, July 29, before Sen. Vicente Sotto III, chair of the Senate committee on ethics and privileges, questioning Cayetano’s conduct in her capacity as a member of the impeachment court.

The complainants accused Cayetano of sharing a spliced video of House prosecutor and Akbayan Rep. Chel Diokno that allegedly gave the impression that the House prosecution was pursuing Vice President Sara Duterte without evidence.

They said the edited footage removed Diokno’s explanation of what constitutes a “fishing expedition.”

According to the complaint, Diokno had explained that the term applies when subpoenas are requested without an evidentiary basis.

By leaving out that portion, the complainants said, the video created the impression that prosecutors were seeking Duterte’s bank and tax records, as well as documents from the Anti-Money Laundering Council, without evidence to support the requests.

“The deliberate editing of official impeachment proceedings to mislead the public is not merely a political act but a serious ethical issue that strikes at the integrity of the Senate as an impeachment court,” the complaint read, as quoted by Philstar.

The complainants argued that Cayetano’s alleged conduct raises ethical concerns because senators sitting as impeachment judges are expected to uphold the integrity of the proceedings and maintain impartiality.

They cited the Code of Professional Responsibility and Accountability, which bars lawyers from dishonest or deceitful conduct, as well as the constitutional oath of senators to render impartial justice in impeachment proceedings.

The groups also argued that the responsibility of senator-judges extends beyond actual impartiality to avoiding conduct that could create an appearance of bias.

They said Cayetano’s alleged sharing of the edited video could erode public confidence in the neutrality of the impeachment court.

Among those who signed or were represented in the complaint were former Commission on Higher Education chair Patricia Licuanan; University of the Philippines Diliman professor Jean Franco, co-convenor of Everywoman; and representatives of the Parents Initiative and Social Awareness Mainstreaming Advocacy, Sanctuary Network, Student Council Alliance of the Philippines, District Wide Advocates Quezon City and Pandayan para sa Sosyalistang Pilipinas.

Tindig Pilipinas asked the Senate ethics committee to conduct an investigation and impose appropriate disciplinary sanctions if warranted.

The complainants said they brought the case forward to promote constitutional governance, impartiality in impeachment proceedings and public trust in democratic institutions, rather than as a partisan action.(MyTVCebu)