The House prosecution panel warned that public frustration could grow if the Senate leadership impasse continues to delay the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte.
Prosecutors said the proceedings must move forward, stressing that Filipinos have waited long enough for answers on allegations involving threats, confidential funds, bribery, and unexplained wealth.
“Magagalit ang mga tao. ‘Yun ang klaro,” lead prosecutor and House Committee on Justice Chairperson Gerville Luistro said during a press conference.
She cited public sentiment in favor of the trial, saying the impeachment case should not remain stalled while the Senate deals with internal leadership issues.
“Because the survey already shows the supermajority of the Filipino people who are waiting for this trial. From my last recollection, 74 percent ng mga Pilipino ang gustong-gustong matuloy na itong impeachment trial na ito,” she said.
She noted that the Articles of Impeachment now before the Senate involve allegations that have long demanded answers from Duterte, some of which were already raised in the previous Congress.
“And remember, the allegations in the present Articles of Impeachment are the same allegations in the Articles of Impeachment back in the 19th Congress,” Luistro said.
She said this means the public has yet to hear clear answers on issues involving alleged threats, confidential funds, bribery, and unexplained wealth.
“So to your question kung anong magiging consequence, kung anong magiging reaction ng mga tao, certainly from my end, magagalit ang mga Pilipino if we keep on delaying this impeachment trial,” the Batangas solon added.
House trial spokesperson and Kabataan Party-list Rep. Renee Co said every day of delay is another day that accountability is pushed aside and questions over public funds remain unanswered.
“Siguro ang dagdag ko na lang rin, ang mensahe kung magkakaroon ng tuloy-tuloy na delay ay isang araw na naman na hindi nauuna ang pananagutan. Isang araw na naman na hindi napapa-prioritize ‘yung tanong at saan po ba napunta yung pera ng taumbayan,” she said.
She said the trial is necessary to determine the defense, address the allegations, and allow the accountability process to move forward.
“Dahil the longer this goes on, the longer these issues are unresolved, mas nararamdaman ng mamamayang Pilipino na hindi inuuna ‘yung mga panawagan nila. Kaya po para unahin natin yung priority of the Filipino people, kailangang magtuloy-tuloy yung paglilitis,” the solon stressed.
A member of the prosecution panel, Chel Diokno, said Filipinos have waited long enough to see the evidence and hear the truth in the impeachment case.
“Matagal nang hinihintay ng sambayanang Pilipino ang ebidensya at malaman ang katotohanan dito sa impeachment case na ito. At dapat wala nang maging sagabal sa trial sa Senado,” Diokno said.