"There will be no compulsory processes because it is not a verdict. We just make fact-finding proceedings for the people. The farmers, fisherfolk, students, and other people’s organizations, once they know, they can judge for themselves. That’s what the People’s Court is all about. We have to dance to the tune of cha-cha, if not, rumba," Guingona said.
Guingona described the "People’s Court" hearing as "dancing our way to truth and accountability through the tune of cha-cha, or rumba.
"We will be as objective in accordance with the evidence," he stressed.
"We ensure the proceedings will be fair and square. The first session of the court proceedings tomorrow, Tuesday, is not prejudged. All people have built- in biases, but that doesn’t mean an individual cannot be objective when he affirms to his oath according to the evidence," he said.
Meanwhile, Environment and Natural Resources Secretary Michael Defensor who had earlier assured his attendance, has withdrawn his support for the proceedings.
Guingona said, "We will continue even without a representative from Malacañang. This is its opportunity to be heard, to be present, to object. It is supposed to be a free country. If it doesn’t want to air its side, we don’t want to force it. (We want) to help (the people know) the truth, what is the accountability, if there is any?"
Convenor Sr. Mary John Mananzan said that the results of the proceedings would depend on the people.
"The decision is up to the people. They can express their feelings in whatever way they want to. That is their choice," Sr. Mananzan said.
Guingona said the people could judge for themselves. "We don’t judge whether she’s (Arroyo) guilty or innocent, but it’s up to the people to decide," he said.
Last Sept. 6, Congress dismissed the impeachment complaint against Mrs. Arroyo. The dismissal of the impeachment has led to the creation of the Citizens’ Congress for Truth and Accountability (CCTA).
For the CCTA’s members, the creation of a Citizens’ Congress would give the public a chance to know the truth and demand accountability of the administration for the accusations of electoral fraud, rampant graft and corruption hurled against the government.
Guingona said the creation of a Citizens’ Congress or "People’s Court" derived its legal basis from Article XIII Section 15 of the Constitution, which states: "The State shall respect the role of independent people’s organizations to enable the people to pursue and protect, within the democratic framework, their legitimate and collective interests and aspirations through peaceful and lawful means."
The basis for the People’s Court’s work would be the amended impeachment complaint.
Guingona said this includes the examination of specific complaints on electoral fraud such as the controversial "Hello Garci" tape and the alleged misuse of government funds for the 2004 presidential election, cases of bribery, graft and corruption, and political repression and human rights violations.
If necessary, the Citizens’ Congress is free to add other issues and witnesses even at the last minute before the beginning of the fact-finding proceedings.
The Citizens’ Congress is composed of 400 delegates coming from various sectors of society.
The convenors of the Congress shall be composed of individuals known for their integrity and credibility.
Convenors are Dr. Bienvenido Lumbera, 1993 Ramon Magsaysay Awardee; Dr. Maria Serena Diokno, professor at the UP; Sr. Mary John Mananzan, a top official of St. Scholastica’s College; Bro. Edmundo Fernandez,of the De La Salle Brothers’ community, and Bishop Solito Toquero, of the United Methodist Church of the Philippines.
The set of presiding officers or presidium shall be composed of personalities known for their competence, probity, and fairness.
Chairman of the presidium is former Vice President Guingona. Other presiding officers are Ms. Victoria Avena, a professor at the UP College of Law; Ms. Sharon Rose Joy Ruiz Duremdes, secretary-general, National Council of Churches of the Philippines (NCCP); Bishop Alberto Ramento, Iglesia Filipina Independiente; Bishop Dan Balais, chairman, bishop of Christ the Living Stone Fellowship; Ms. Menchie Karagdag; Commissioner Nasser Marohomsalic; Dr. Sixto Roxas; Baltazar Endriga, former president of the University of the East; and Prof. Merlin Magallona, former dean of the UP College of Law,.
A team of lawyer-delegates willl serve as the presentor and help the delegates and the presidium examine the cases and pieces of evidence.
Lawyer-presentors would be led by lawyer Romeo Capulong. Other members are Lawyers Neri Colmenares and Glenda Litong.
