Duterte’s brother as impeachment trial starts: We also want the truth

MANILA, Philippines — Vice President Sara Duterte’s brother has made it clear that they also want the truth to come out, as the Senate Impeachment Court starts the impeachment trial on several allegations hurled against the country’s second-highest official.

In a statement on Monday, Davao City Rep. Paolo Duterte said he hopes the impeachment process will allow the truth to come out, rather than political narratives and noise.

“Today marks the start of the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte. Like many Filipinos, I hope the proceedings will be conducted fairly, professionally, and without unnecessary distractions,” Rep. Duterte said.

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“More importantly, I hope this process finally allows the truth to emerge from the mountain of accusations, speculation, political narratives, and noise that have surrounded this issue for months,” he added.

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“The Filipino people deserve facts, not rumors. Evidence, not innuendo. Truth, not propaganda,” he noted.

According to Rep. Duterte, the vice president is ready to face the accusations against her.

“Vice President Sara Duterte has made it clear that she is prepared to face the charges against her. We are confident that she will be given the opportunity to answer every allegation in the proper forum and under the proper process,” he said.

“As the proceedings begin, I ask everyone to allow the Senate impeachment court to do its work and to approach this historic process with an open mind,” the lawmaker requested.

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“At the end of the day, political attacks may generate headlines, but only the truth can stand the test of scrutiny,” he pointed out. “We remain hopeful that this trial will not only settle the issues being raised but also expose the motivations behind them.”

The Senate Impeachment Court convened on Monday to start the trial of Duterte, who was impeached by the House last May 11.

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A total of 257 House lawmakers voted in favor of adopting House Resolution (HR) No. 989 which contains the Articles of Impeachment, while only 25 members voted against, and nine abstained.

The two complaints submitted to the House were consolidated into four grounds in the Articles of Impeachment:

Culpable violation of the Constitution, graft and corruption, and betrayal of public trust through the systematic liquidation misuse, misappropriation, and irregular of confidential funds amounting to P500 million under the Office of the Vice President (OVP) and P112.5 million under the Department of Education (DepEd)

Culpable violation of the Constitution and betrayal of public trust when Duterte amassed unexplained wealth manifestly disproportionate to her lawful income and earnings during her incumbency as a public official

Bribery, graft and corruption, culpable violation of the Constitution, and betrayal of public trust when she gave monetary gifts or payments to DepEd officials to induce the violation and circumvention of procurement and other related laws

Culpable violation of the Constitution, high crimes, and betrayal of public trust by contracting for the assassination of the president, the first lady, and the former speaker of the House, by making grave threats, and by actively inciting sedition against the republic

Earlier, before the trial started, spokespersons of the prosecution team also said that they believe everyone — including the vice president’s supporters — deserve to know the truth that may be revealed once the impeachment trial commences.

In a press briefing at the Senate, Kabataan party-list Rep. Renee Co and Lanao del Sur Rep. Zia Alonto Adiong both said that the impeachment trial’s goal is to ensure everyone is apprised of what really happened regarding the various allegations raised against Duterte.

Co and Adiong said this after being asked if they are afraid that Duterte’s supporters might turn on them and the rest of the prosecution team after pushing for the trial.

READ: Prosecution: Trial is for truth that Duterte supporters also deserve

According to Adiong, the prosecution team should not be cowed or pressured by the political fallout from the impeachment trial, as the panel’s only concern should be its duty to present evidence against the vice president. /apl

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