A veteran legal expert said mounting evidence linked to Vice President Sara Duterte could push her to resign, but stressed that such a move would not stop the ongoing impeachment process.
Speaking at a public forum in Quezon City, lawyer Lorna Kapunan described the documentary records and sworn testimonies presented in House proceedings as “overwhelming,” raising the possibility of resignation.
“Sa nakita kong ebidensya, napakalakas,” Kapunan said, citing materials that include official documents and statements from government agencies and witnesses.
The impeachment case, now under review by the House Committee on Justice, involves allegations such as the misuse of confidential funds, discrepancies in wealth declarations, and reported threats against top government officials.
Among the evidence cited were findings from the Anti-Money Laundering Council flagging billions of pesos in transactions linked to Duterte and her spouse, as well as a Commission on Audit notice of disallowance involving hundreds of millions of pesos in confidential funds.
Lawmakers also presented video materials authenticated by the National Bureau of Investigation, reportedly linked to alleged threats made in 2024 against President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos, and then-House Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez.
Despite the seriousness of the allegations, Kapunan emphasized that resignation would not halt impeachment proceedings, noting that the process also carries the penalty of disqualification from holding public office.
“Kahit mag-resign siya, tuloy ang impeachment dahil may second penalty—disqualification,” she said.
She clarified that impeachment is distinct from criminal or civil cases, as it does not involve imprisonment or recovery of assets, which must be pursued through separate legal actions.
“Hindi ito criminal case. Walang imprisonment sa impeachment,” she added, explaining that penalties are limited to removal from office and possible lifetime disqualification.
Kapunan also noted that conviction in an impeachment trial requires a two-thirds vote in the Senate, a threshold meant to ensure that only cases with substantial merit lead to removal.
For Kapunan, this framework ensures accountability cannot be easily avoided, even if an official chooses to step down, as the question of disqualification remains a matter of public interest.