House trial spokespersons said Vice President Sara Duterte’s absence from her impeachment trial would disappoint Filipinos who have been waiting for her direct answers to the Articles of Impeachment.
Speaking at a press conference at the Senate, legal spokesperson Atty. Benjamin “Jay” Tolosa Jr. said the prosecution respects the order of the impeachment court allowing Duterte to appear either personally or through counsel.
“We will still respect the rules of impeachment and the order issued by the impeachment court wherein the Vice President was given an option to appear either in person or through counsel,” Tolosa said.
“At the end of the day, that’s a decision for them to make,” he added.
Tolosa said the prosecution recognizes the public sentiment that Duterte should personally face the proceedings.
“We understand that sentiment. That sentiment is the sentiment of the entire country or most of our countrymen,” Tolosa said.
“Everyone’s demanding that the Vice President will face this in person,” he added.
Lanao del Sur Rep. Zia Alonto Adiong said Duterte’s personal appearance would signal that she is taking the allegations seriously and is prepared to answer them before the proper forum.
“It will only show that she’s really seriously taking these allegations, now facing these allegations with a clear position that she is not guilty of any of these accusations,” Alonto Adiong said.
“The clearest message that she can send is to appear before the court,” he added.
Adiong said Duterte’s attendance would also be consistent with her earlier statements that she was willing to answer the allegations in the proper venue.
“That would also reinforce her previous statements that she will answer in the proper forum, that she’s actually welcoming the allegation at the proper forum, and this is now the proper forum,” Adiong said.
Kabataan Party-list Rep. Renee Louise Co said Filipinos have waited long enough for the impeachment proceedings and for Duterte’s response to the allegations.
“Matagal na ang hinihintay ng mamamayan ang proseso na ito,” Co said.
“Matagal na rin hinihintay ng mamamayan ang sagot ni VP Sara sa mga tanong tungkol sa Articles of Impeachment,” she added.
Co said Duterte’s absence would be unfortunate for citizens expecting accountability from the impeachment process.