House prosecutor and Akbayan Party-list Rep. Chel Diokno on Sunday said many Filipinos are expecting Vice President Sara Z. Duterte to personally respond to the allegations against her as the impeachment trial before the Senate draws near.
In a radio interview, Diokno said the proceedings would give Duterte the opportunity to present evidence and answer the accusations raised in the impeachment complaint.
“Ngayon, siyempre sa pagdating ng paglilitis, dapat doon na mismo ang pagkakataon ng Vice President na humarap at ihain ang kanyang ebidensya at argumento,” Diokno said.
He noted that the allegations against Duterte have been the subject of months of congressional hearings, beginning with proceedings at the House Committee on Justice.
“Matagal na rin hinihintay ng taumbayan ang kanyang sasabihin tungkol dito, mula pa sa Committee on Justice hearings sa House of Representatives,” he added.
Diokno made the statement in response to questions regarding Duterte’s absence during the Senate impeachment court’s pre-trial conference.
He explained that under Senate impeachment rules, the respondent may either appear personally or be represented by authorized counsel.
“Ang nakalagay sa Senate impeachment rules ay maaari siyang dumalo o ipagrepresenta sa kanyang mga abogado basta may authorization mula sa kanya,” he said.
“At dumalo naman ang kanyang mga abogado sa pre-trial at sila ang naging boses niya,” he added.
Diokno also noted that, similar to ordinary court proceedings, personal appearance of the accused is not required at every stage of the trial.
“Hindi naman sa lahat ng hearing required ang presensya ng akusado. Ganoon din sa Senate impeachment rules,” he said.
The Senate impeachment court is expected to complete pre-trial proceedings within the week ahead of the scheduled start of the trial proper on July 6.
The House prosecution panel has said it is prepared to present evidence supporting all four Articles of Impeachment, which include allegations of misuse of confidential funds, unexplained wealth, bribery, and threats against President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos, and former Speaker Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez.