VP Sara Duterte's lawyers: Impeachment process 'not a political tool'
The defense team of Vice President Sara Duterte stood firm Monday that they are ready to face the charges should the impeachment trial proceed, but stressed that the process should not be used as a weapon to harass political opponents.
READ: The defense team of Vice President Sara Duterte issues a statement amid calls for Senate to proceed with impeachment trial. @gmanews pic.twitter.com/gd6fIsjowq — Giselle Ombay (@giselleombay_) June 9, 2025
Duterte's lawyers issued the statement amid calls for the Senate to immediately proceed with the impeachment trial.
'We deem it proper to refrain from commenting on matters that are exclusive and internal to the Senate. However, we reiterate our firm position that the initiation of the impeachment process—particularly the Fourth Impeachment Complaint—suffers from serious constitutional infirmities,' the defense team said.
The Vice President's lawyers further maintained that the impeachment process 'must never be weaponized to harass, silence, or eliminate political opponents.'
'It is a constitutional mechanism, not a political tool,' the defense team added.
Should the Senate decide to proceed with the impeachment proceedings, Duterte's lawyers said that they are ready to face the charges against the Vice President and 'expose the baselessness of the accusations' against her.
The House of Representatives impeached Duterte on February 5, with over 200 lawmakers endorsing the complaint.
On the same day, the Articles of Impeachment were transmitted to the Senate but the upper chamber adjourned without addressing the case.
Duterte was accused of betrayal of public trust, culpable violation of the constitution, graft and corruption, and other high crimes. — RSJ, GMA Integrated News
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Hindi ito parang si Carlos Yulo na sa kaka-gymnastics nila, mental gymnastics, kaka-tumbling at kaka-split eh mapapalusot nila yung kanilang poon,' he added. (They should realize that it's always the Constitution which should prevail over personal ambition.) Cendaña also pointed out Tolentino's various positions on the impeachment. 'Kasi kung makikita natin yung nag-propose, 'di ba? Originally, gusto nila sabihin na walang jurisdiction yung 20th Congress. Alam naman natin yung kanyang record sa presinto at yung kanyang loyalty. Tapos bigla ngayon, gusto naman niya madaliin. And so talagang suspect yung intent doon sa pag-propose nitong bagong timeline,' Cendaña stressed. (Originally, they said the 20th Congress has no jurisdiction. We all know his record and his loyalty. Then all of a sudden, he wants things rushed. So the proposed timeline is suspect.) Gabriela Representative Arlene Brosas also opposed Tolentino's proposed impeachment calendar. 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'From the very start, sinasabi naman natin irerespeto natin kung anong decision ng Senado from the very beginning. Now, we respect if that's the call of the Senate to hold the impeachment trial starting 11 up to 30,' Adiong said. — RSJ, GMA Integrated News
