Spox: Sheriff witness may show behavioral pattern, culture of impunity

MANILA, Philippines — House trial spokespersons Rep. Zia Alonto Adiong and Atty. Benjamin S. Tolosa Jr. on Friday said the inclusion of former Davao City court sheriff Abe Andres in the prosecution’s witness list is intended to support evidence that may establish an alleged pattern of behavior by Vice President Sara Duterte.

Andres, identified in public reports as the court sheriff allegedly punched by then Davao City Mayor Duterte during a 2011 demolition incident, is among the witnesses listed for the Vice President’s impeachment trial.

Tolosa, legal spokesperson for the private prosecution team, declined to discuss the prosecution’s full trial strategy but said the rules allow the presentation of evidence to establish a behavioral pattern or propensity.

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READ: Sheriff says sorry to Davao City Mayor Duterte

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“Under the rules, it is allowed to present evidence to establish a behavioral pattern, to establish the propensity of a person to resort to violence, for example,” Tolosa told reporters during a Zoom press conference.

He said the prosecution could not yet disclose the specific reasons for presenting Andres as a witness.

“I’m sure you would understand why, at this point, we can’t disclose the particular reasons why we will be presenting this witness,” Tolosa said.

Alonto Adiong said the prosecution would examine both the Vice President’s actions and statements in assessing her conduct.

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“Actions and words are very apparent so far as the Vice President is concerned,” he said.

He said the alleged threats against President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., first lady Liza Araneta-Marcos, and former Speaker Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez should be viewed together with other conduct that, according to the prosecution, may demonstrate how Duterte reacts when her authority is challenged.

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“When she’s angry, she gets too volatile,” Alonto Adiong said.

He cited the 2011 incident involving Andres as an example of conduct that, in the prosecution’s view, reflects a broader issue of impunity.

“It also speaks about the attitude that she is — the impunity — the culture of impunity that we would try to address,” he said.

Alonto Adiong said holding public office carries authority but does not exempt officials from legal and ethical standards.

“No one should be above the law. No one should have the right to take justice into their own hands,” he said.

He added that such conduct, if committed by a public official, constitutes a betrayal of public trust.

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“That’s already a betrayal of public trust,” Alonto Adiong said.