a day ago
House prosecutors ask Senate: Junk VP Sara's bid to dismiss impeach raps
The House of Representatives prosecution panel asked Friday the Senate impeachment court to reject Vice President Sara Duterte's bid to dismiss the impeachment case against her, saying the severity of the charges require no less than a full and transparent trial and her conviction.
The prosecution panel made the assertion in its response to Duterte's answer ad cautelam, wherein she called the verified impeachment complaint against her a mere "scrap of paper."
Lawyer Regie Tongol, spokesperson of the Senate impeachment court, confirmed receipt of the House prosecutors reply at 1:38 p.m. Friday.
Prosecutors said the articles of impeachment against Duterte "are thoroughly drafted and contains sufficient allegations and evidence justifying a full-blown trial."
In addition, prosecutors said the House of Representatives is not required to hold committee hearings with respondent Duterte's participation if it initiates impeachment by direct resolution of at least one-third of all of its members, which was met by the House in this case since over 200 lawmakers endorsed the impeachment complaint.
"The Honorable Impeachment Court should reject respondent Duterte's desire for a dismissal without trial. A trial is not only warranted but necessary to reinforce justice… and affirm that no individual–regardless of rank or influence–stands above the law," the House prosecution panel said.
It also branded as "false" Duterte's claims that there are no articles of impeachment currently with the Senate impeachment tribunal since it ordered the return of the same to the House.
"The Honorable Impeachment Court should ignore respondent's claims that are tantamount to a motion to dismiss, including her prayer to resolve her affirmative defenses, and proceed to trial as directed by the plain text and meaning of the Constitution. These Articles of Impeachment highlight respondent Duterte's unfitness for public office. The gravity of the allegations and the public leave no room for technical evasion," the panel added.
"Wherefore, it is respectfully prayed that the Honorable Impeachment Court proceed to trial, render a judgment of conviction against respondent Vice President Sara Zimmerman Duterte, decree her removal from the Office of the Vice President, and order her perpetual disqualification from holding any public office in the Republic of the Philippines," it said.
Duterte is accused of betrayal of public trust, culpable violation of the Constitution, graft and corruption, and other high crimes mainly over alleged misuse of P612.5 million worth of confidential funds and for threatening to kill President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr., his wife Liza and his Speaker Martin Romualdez of Leyte, among others.
The Vice President has denied the allegations. — VDV, GMA Integrated News
