My work hours permit me to watch the on going impeachment trial scheduled every Monday to Thursday, 2 pm onwards. As the trial is coming to its conclusion, I’d like to share with everyone one reason why I watch this trial: It is Educational
Majority of those who watch this trial are non lawyers, which makes this televised proceedings quite interesting to those, such as me, who is quite curious as to what happens inside a court. Regardless of whether this is what happens in reality, or this may just be a special case of courtroom drama, one would still learn some things from this “show”.
Below are a few of the youtube videos that I found, that gives us a few bits and pieces of why there is still something we can get out of this trial.
1. What is the definition of a witness?
- A person who perceives (via 5 senses) and have to be personally be present at the scene of the crime
- Listen until 0:50 to get Senator Santiago’s explanation / definition.
2. Impeachment is neither politcal and neither judicial in nature.
Impeachment is quasi politcal and quasi judicial. Quasi means – almost, but not exactly
Senator Santiago: “Thus rules of court do not apply totally to this proceedings, but lie to the discretions of this court.”
3. The presenting lawyer of a witness must be bound by the admissions and statements of the witness presented by him/her.
Senate President Enrile: “That is the rule of trial. If you studied your trial technique very well, that’s the rule.”
4. Excessive Entanglement
Lesson #1: Define excessive entanglement:
Excessive entanglement is a term of art in constitutional law that is applied in cases involving the separation of church and state
Lesson #2: If you’re not sure of what the meaning of a word or terms are, don’t use it! Keep it simple!
5. Practice Diligence!!
Watch this video – it’s well summarized by the GMA News.
Negligence is not an excuse!
There are a lot more, if only I could find them amongst the thousands of youtube videos about the the impeachment trial.
You see, although one would say that this impeachment trial is a waste of taxpayer’s money, if we look at it from a different perspective, there’s still a lot we can get out of this trial. Good or bad, I cannot say. Good because we are learning about these judicial proceedings, bad because perhaps, now politicians know now how to be extra careful with their corrupt ways! Might be harded to catch them the next time around. And I guess now we know that it’s hard to be the enemy of no less than the president of the Philippines!
Reason #2 coming soon.
