Manila Rep. Bienvenido “Benny” Abante Jr. said the House prosecution team has already presented sufficient evidence to convict Vice President Sara Duterte in her Senate impeachment trial.
Speaking at the Saturday News Forum, Abante highlighted allegations involving confidential fund usage and alleged threats made by Duterte against top government officials.
“Guilty na siya. I think that what the prosecution team has actually said is enough,” Abante said. “Yung threat lang na ibinigay ng Vice President that is already enough. It is betrayal of public trust.”
While Abante maintained that the Senate must be allowed to hear all evidence and conclude the trial, he noted that the current testimony from state auditors and law enforcement witnesses already forms a strong case.
One of the endorsers of the impeachment complaint transmitted to the Senate, Abante announced plans to personally attend the daily trial proceedings moving forward rather than remaining a passive observer.
“The thing is, I am just a silent participant in the impeachment trial. Pero ako, magiging aktibo na ako dito,” Abante said. “In fact, balak ko na talagang mag-attend araw-araw sa impeachment trial para makita ko talaga ang nangyayari.”
Abante rejected the idea that lawmakers should withdraw support from the impeachment process over political pressure, stressing that prosecutors must present their case, the defense must respond and senator-judges must decide the final verdict.