Davao City Rep. Paolo “Pulong” Duterte on Tuesday questioned the basis of the impeachment case against Vice President Sara Duterte, saying prosecutors should explain what evidence supports the charges instead of repeatedly asserting that the complaint has merit.
In a statement, Pulong Duterte was responding to House prosecutor Rep. Chel Diokno’s earlier remark that the House of Representatives did not impeach the vice president “without basis.”
“The real question is, what basis?” the Davao lawmaker said.
He questioned whether the impeachment was supported by what he described as credible evidence or driven by politics, and challenged prosecutors to identify the specific evidence they believe proves the alleged impeachable offenses.
Pulong Duterte also questioned why the prosecution continues to seek additional evidence, including documents and records, if it already had sufficient grounds when the House Committee on Justice endorsed the impeachment complaint.
He further argued that if the case were strong, it would not have faced questions over procedure, constitutionality and the sufficiency of the evidence.
The Davao lawmaker also criticized what he described as the continued search for evidence and alleged violations of the vice president’s constitutional rights during the impeachment proceedings.
He maintained that impeachment cases should be decided on “credible evidence and strict adherence to the Constitution,” not through public statements or political rhetoric.
Pulong Duterte also claimed Vice President Duterte’s public support has remained strong despite what he described as years of political attacks, arguing that Filipinos could see through what he called politically motivated efforts against her.
The House prosecution panel has maintained that the impeachment complaint is supported by evidence and has defended the House’s decision to transmit the articles of impeachment to the Senate, where Vice President Duterte’s impeachment trial is ongoing.
