The House prosecution team on Friday countered Vice President Sara Duterte’s claim of “bending the law” in her impeachment trial, arguing the clearest violation was the alleged misuse and liquidation of confidential funds under her watch.
Reacting to Duterte’s remark, Manila Rep. Joel Chua cited testimony from state auditors showing her offices failed to properly liquidate confidential funds.
“So ngayon, ang nakikita pa lamang po natin ng bending the law ay yung pagli-liquidate po nila ng confidential fund,” Chua said.
House Prosecution Panel spokesperson Rep. Zia Alonto-Adiong added that Duterte’s statement attacks the trial body itself, “ ang Vice President, sabi niya, may bending of the rule. Ito ay sa aming palagay, ito ay direktang pagtukoy sa integrity at insulto sa integrity ng impeachment court.”
Adiong stressed that prosecutors continue to follow all Senate directives, “ang aming pong posisyon, kung meron pong directive on this coming Monday, kami po ay tatalima.”
Bicol Saro Rep. Terry Ridon noted that the panel may officially challenge Duterte’s remarks, as questioning the court’s integrity is a serious matter, “it is something that we may raise, whether during oral arguments, in open court, or as a written manifestation.”