Camille Villar turns emotional amid debates on trial participation of detained senators

Manila Bulletin - Camille Villar turns emotional amid debates on trial participation of detained senators

Camille Villar turns emotional amid debates on trial participation of detained senators

Senator-judge Camille Villar became emotional as she objected to Senator Erwin Tulfo's characterization of detained senators Jinggoy Estrada and Rodante Marcoleta, stressing that they have not been convicted of the crimes they are charged with.

Tulfo apologized for any offense caused by his remarks but maintained that he was referring to the senators being charged, not convicted, and said their detention was relevant to determining the two-thirds vote required to convict Vice President Sara Duterte.

Senator-judges Alan Peter Cayetano and Mark Villar acknowledged Tulfo's point on the vote computation while stressing the need to respect absent colleagues, with Cayetano noting that electronic participation could address much of the issue.