The House prosecution panel said its credibility remains intact despite allegations raised by the so-called 18 former bodyguards of ex-congressman Zaldy Co in connection with the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte.
Members of the prosecution team said the inconsistencies in the affidavit and testimony of the former bodyguards were apparent to the public and did not weaken the panel’s standing.
“I honestly believed that hindi naapektuhan ang credibility ng 11 prosecutors. Just to be specific, nasama po doon si Cong. Leila de Lima, myself, Cong. Terry Ridon and Cong. Zia Adiong, who is one of our spokespersons,” lead prosecutor and House justice committee chairperson Gerville Luistro said during a press conference.
She said the prosecutors named in the claims continue to stand on their record of integrity and public service.
“We maintain integrity and honesty in the discharge of our function as public servants. The inconsistencies are very much evident at tayo po ay nananalig na hindi maaapektuhan ng 18 ex-bodyguards na affidavit ang kredibilidad na matagal nang mayroon ang 11 prosecutors,” she said.
House trial spokesperson Renee Co said public reaction to the testimony showed that many Filipinos questioned the credibility of the witnesses, not the prosecution panel.
“Dagdag na rin po. Nakita natin ang reactions ng mamamayan sa naging hearing at testimonies ng witnesses from the 18 ex-bodyguards and safe to say na ang karamihan ng mga tao doon na nag-react ay kinuwestiyon ang credibility ng mga witnesses,” Co said.
She said the prosecution must stay focused on ensuring that the accountability process is followed despite attempts to distract from the impeachment proceedings.
“So tayo kailangan lang natin tuloy-tuloy ang panawagan natin sa trabaho natin na ‘yung pananagutan, ang proseso nito, masunod. Hindi naman naapektuhan at hindi magpapaapekto sa ganitong klaseng hearing,” Co added.
Another member of the prosecution panel said the impeachment case should be decided on evidence, not on side issues.
“This is about the evidence. Matagal na rin naming hinihintay ang pagkakataon na ilatag ang ebidensya, hindi lang sa senator-judge kundi sa lahat ng mga Pilipino,” according to Akbayan Party-list Rep. Chel Diokno.
He said the panel is preparing its presentation so the public can clearly understand the evidence once the trial begins.
“And we are really in the process now making sure our presentations are done in a way that will be felt by everyone,” he added.
For the prosecution team, the allegations raised by the former Marines amount to another diversion from the impeachment case. The panel said its focus remains on the trial, the presentation of evidence, and its constitutional duty before the Senate impeachment court.
“Sa kabila po ng mga commotion at issues ng leadership na nagaganap ngayon sa Senado, makakaasa po ang taong-bayan na nananatili pong tapat sa constitutional duty ang 11 prosecutors ng House of Representatives,” Luistro said.
She said the panel remains ready to appear before the impeachment court on the previously announced dates: June 18 for the pre-trial conference and July 6 for the trial.