A member of the House prosecution panel said due process and the opportunity to answer the allegations against her are the “birthday gift” being given to Vice President Sara Duterte as she faces impeachment proceedings before the Senate.
Kabataan Party-list Rep. Renee Co said the public continues to await Duterte’s response to the accusations contained in the Articles of Impeachment.
“Well, sagutin sana ang wish ng taumbayan sa kanyang kaarawan ang matagal nang hinahanap sa kanya — yung pagharap sa proseso ng pananagutan,” Co said in a radio interview.
The lawmaker stressed that the impeachment process is giving Duterte a full opportunity to answer the allegations against her.
“Despite everything that’s happening, ang gift natin kay VP Sara ay yung due process, yung pag-iisa-isa ng mga hakbang sa proseso para kung anumang alegasyon laban sa kanya ay masagot niya nang maayos,” she said.
Co noted that many ordinary Filipinos facing legal cases do not always receive the same level of public attention or opportunity to explain their side.
“So sana po hawakan niya at ma-enjoy yung birthday wish ng due process,” she added.
The Senate impeachment court earlier gave Duterte until June 1 to submit her answer to the Articles of Impeachment filed by the House of Representatives.
Co said the prosecution expects Duterte to file a response and address the allegations directly.
“Pinanghahawakan po natin ang sinasabi niya na magsusumite siya ng sagot. Hinihintay na rin po ng taumbayan yung depensa niya na hindi lang po teknikalidad lang o procedural pero yung straightforward answer to the allegations,” she said.
The lawmaker described the filing as Duterte’s final opportunity to formally present her defense before trial proceedings move forward.
The Articles of Impeachment approved by the House include allegations involving the alleged misuse of confidential funds, unexplained wealth, bribery, and threats against President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos, and former House Speaker Martin Romualdez.
Co also said the impeachment proceedings would continue whether Duterte files an answer or not.
“At kung walang depensa ni VP, more likely than not, it will lead to a conviction dahil the House Committee on Justice found probable cause,” she said.
A vote of at least 16 of the 24 senator-judges is required to convict and remove Duterte from office.
