Malacañang on Thursday said it expects the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte to uncover the truth and avoid being reduced to political drama.
Palace Press Officer Claire Castro issued the statement as the Senate impeachment court began hearing allegations involving the Vice President’s use of confidential funds.
“Ang inaasahan po natin ay walang drama, walang pagtatago ng katotohanan at walang pag-iwas sa totoong issue na kinakaharap dito sa impeachment trial (What we expect is no drama, no hiding of the truth, and no evasion of the real issues that is being presented in the impeachment trial),” Castro said during a briefing.
Castro said this is also what the public wants to see from the proceedings — for the truth to come out rather than political performances inside the Senate.
“Lumabas ang katotohanan at hindi ang drama sa loob ng Senado (For the truth to come out, not drama inside the Senate),” she added.
The prosecution and defense panels on Wednesday delivered their opening statements on the complaint concerning Duterte’s alleged misuse of confidential funds. The prosecution also submitted its list of witnesses.
Meanwhile, Castro rejected the defense team’s argument that President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s willingness to reconcile with the Duterte family lessened the seriousness of the alleged assassination threats made against the Chief Executive.
According to Castro, Marcos’ call for reconciliation was not limited to the Duterte family but reflected his broader appeal for unity among Filipinos despite political differences.
She emphasized that the President’s statements had no effect on the impeachment proceedings and did not erase the alleged threat.