HOUSE Secretary General Reginald “Reggie” S. Velasco on Tuesday expressed gratitude to the Senate leadership for accommodating the House prosecution panel’s request for workspaces as both chambers prepare for the historic impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte.
Velasco and his officials went to the Senate Tuesday to inspect the facilities that will be allotted for the House prosecution team and impeachment secretariat.
His team first visited the Senate session hall, where the impeachment trial will be conducted, and expressed satisfaction with the setup.
“We’re happy to see these facilities of the Senate where the trial will be held. This is exactly the venue where the last impeachment trial was held. This was the time of President PNoy Aquino and then the trial of Chief Justice [Renato] Corona,” Velasco told reporters during an ambush interview.
Velasco emphasized that the House is working closely with the Senate to ensure that preparations are in place for the historic trial.
“This is our first visit here, and we are very happy with the setup. We have no comments, no complaints, but we are happy that the Senate is joining us. We are one in this forthcoming event,” Velasco added.
Following the inspection of the session hall, Velasco proceeded to the Sen. Arturo M. Tolentino Room, which has been initially designated as the office for the House prosecution team.
“Nandito kami para tingnan ‘yung mga kwartong ibibigay sa prosecution panel at saka sa Secretariat. Kung magkakaroon na ng trial para ready na ‘yung grupo namin,” he said.
Velasco noted that Senate Secretary Renato Bantug Jr. was showing them the rooms that would be given to the House prosecutors and the impeachment secretariat.
“Pinakita sa akin ni (Senate) Secretary (Renato Bantug Jr.) kung ano ‘yung mga kuwartong ibibigay sa amin,” he said before proceeding to the Sen. Arturo Tolentino Room.
Asked whether the House has any specific requests regarding the facilities, Velasco said they would assess the available spaces before making any recommendations.
“Wala, gusto namin makita muna kung ano ‘yung ia-allot sa amin bago kami gumawa ng request,” he said.
He reiterated the importance of having proper facilities to support the House prosecutors and their staff.
“To see the facilities where the House prosecutors and the (Impeachment) Secretariat that will back staff (support) the prosecution panel. So, our first visit will be this area, this is where the trial will be held, as you can see naka-setup na and we are very happy to see that set-up here,” he said.
“But we will have an office also in the House of Representatives, some sort of a backroom operations, we will designate a room there, where the secretariat and other House officials will be staying for the duration of the trial,” Velasco said.
Velasco also highlighted that the Senate President will act as the presiding officer over the impeachment trial, with senators serving as trial judges.
“The trial judges will be here. And then the Senate President will act as the presiding officer during the trial,” he said, pointing to seats in the session hall.
With the impeachment trial drawing closer, Velasco assured that the House prosecution team is preparing to fulfill its mandate
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