Virgil Ligutan, a member of the Young Lawyers Association of Cebu and the prosecution panel, has earned widespread praise for his performance on the second day of the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte. His argument that a photocopy is as admissible as an original document, citing the Rules on Evidence, has sparked a national debate on social media about the validity of copies in everyday life, such as paying bills with photocopied money or traveling with a Xeroxed passport.
Public Engagement and Humor
SunStar Malilong notes that the discussions, while seemingly trivial, reflect the public's sense of humor and need for diversion from daily struggles. Similar to past impeachment trials of Erap Estrada and Renato Corona, the Sara Duterte trial has become a source of entertainment and distraction for many Filipinos.
On Tuesday, workers at a building lobby were seen watching the trial live on an Android phone. On Monday, people at a gym were overheard debating which side was winning, keeping score like a boxing match. A friend who follows both sports and politics scored Round 1 for the defense, Round 2 for the prosecution, and Round 3 as even.
Political Realities and the Court of Public Opinion
Malilong acknowledges that preconceived notions influence assessments, much like they affect the senator-judges. Given the current Senate configuration, an acquittal is likely regardless of how many rounds Ligutan and the prosecution win. However, the trial serves a parallel purpose: the court of public opinion, where the judges are the politically non-aligned. This contest for hearts and minds is more unpredictable and engaging, making it worth watching.
