The House prosecution panel said Vice President Sara Duterte’s possible appearance at her Senate impeachment trial would not change its strategy or intimidate its lawyers.
Former Surigao del Norte Rep. Robert Ace Barbers, a spokesperson and adviser to the prosecution, said the panel would proceed with the presentation of witnesses and evidence regardless of who attends the proceedings.
“Hindi naman makakaapekto ’yun. Dahil, as we always say, the prosecution team is prepared to do its direct examination sa witnesses at mga ebidensyang inilatag natin,” Barbers said.
“So kahit sinong umattend, wala naman pong epekto ’yan sa pag-conduct ng direct examination doon sa ating witnesses,” he added.
Barbers said Duterte’s attendance would nevertheless give the public an opportunity to hear her response to the allegations contained in the Articles of Impeachment filed by the House of Representatives.
“Mas makakabuti na umattend ang ating pangalawang pangulo nang sa gayon, marinig natin kung ano ang sagot doon sa mga alegasyon,” he said.
Atty. Benjamin “Jay” Tolosa Jr., legal spokesperson and counsel for the House prosecutors, said the panel’s strategy would remain unchanged whether Duterte appears in person or not.
“Regardless of who will be there, respondent or anyone else, the strategy of the prosecution remains the same—that we’ll present evidence in a proper, efficient and effective manner,” Tolosa said.
He added that Duterte’s attendance would show respect for the constitutional process and allow Filipinos to hear her answer the charges directly.
“At the very least, this will show that she’s finally heeding the call of the people, asking her to show respect to the constitutional process and to the impeachment court by facing these charges in person,” Tolosa said.
Lanao del Sur Rep. Zia Alonto Adiong, another prosecution spokesperson, said the impeachment court is the proper venue for Duterte to respond to the case.
“Ito ’yung matagal nang panawagan ng taumbayan na pumunta siya kasi this is her trial at marinig sa kanya kung ano ’yung mga kasagutan nila dito sa kaso,” Adiong said.
He also dismissed suggestions that Duterte’s presence could unsettle the prosecution.
“Nobody gets intimidated. Ang pinag-uusapan dito ’yung proseso ng trial, ’yung pananagutan, paano ilatag ang kaso at paano sagutin ang kaso,” he said.
Adiong said the panel hoped Duterte’s attendance, should she decide to appear, would demonstrate that she intends to take the proceedings seriously.
“Siya naman po ’yung nagsasalita from the very start na ready na po sila sumagot ng kaso. So we take that as a sign that she will take her trial seriously by attending in the coming days,” he said.