Sara Duterte to Senate: Junk impeachment raps
MANILA, Philippines — Vice President Sara Duterte is seeking the dismissal of the articles of impeachment filed against her before the Senate impeachment court, even as she is prepared to appear, “if necessary,” during the trial, according to her lawyer.
Duterte said the articles of impeachment against her are “constitutionally infirm, procedurally defective, and substantively deficient.” Her legal defense team on Monday afternoon filed her answer to the articles of impeachment on her behalf at the Office of the Senate Secretary.
Her lawyers were seen carrying five suitcases containing documents on her formal response.
The House panel of prosecutors, however, said it would oppose any attempt to dismiss the charges, calling the answer submitted by the Vice President to the summons issued by the Senate impeachment court a “rehash” of her response to the lower chamber’s committee on justice that evaluated the complaints.
READ: Sara Duterte urged to give ‘substantive answer’ in impeach case
The Senate, which convened as an impeachment court on May 18, will begin the trial on July 6.
‘Defects’
The four articles of impeachment against Duterte involved her alleged misuse of her office’s confidential funds; culpable violation of the Constitution and betrayal of public trust concerning unexplained wealth and her threats to have President Marcos, first lady Liza Araneta-Marcos and former Speaker Martin Romualdez killed; and bribery.
“[T]he Vice President respectfully submits that the Articles of Impeachment suffer from fatal constitutional, procedural, and substantive defects. They fail to satisfy the standards required by the Constitution and, accordingly, should be dismissed,” according to the executive summary that Duterte’s legal defense team, led by lawyer Michael Poa, gave to reporters.
“If necessary,” Poa told reporters when asked if the vice president is ready to appear during the impeachment trial. “We have to see. That will have to be determined.”
“We want the articles of impeachment to be dismissed altogether, but whatever happens, we are ready to defend the vice president,” Poa added.
Nothing in the rules
Meanwhile, Batangas Rep. Gerville Luistro, the lead prosecutor of the House prosecution panel, said they would oppose any attempt to dismiss the impeachment charges against Duterte.
“We will oppose that,” she said in Filipino. “The Senate rules on impeachment do not speak about dismissal.”
“The [Senate] rules neither speak about remand nor about clarification,” Luistro added.
She said the House prosecution panel would submit its reply to Duterte’s response to the impeachment articles within the week.
Bicol Saro Rep. Terry Ridon, a member of the House prosecution panel, said: “The prosecution will address these matters fully and properly in its reply before the Senate impeachment court.”
Prosecution team spokesperson and Lanao del Sur Rep. Zia Alonto Adiong said the prosecution “remains fully prepared and committed to its constitutional duty” of presenting the case against Duterte. /cb /atm
