Duterte trial relevant, it’s fund Filipinos should’ve received

MANILA, Philippines — While the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte may initially appear to be far from the pressing needs of Filipinos, Batangas Rep. Gerville Luistro said on Monday that it is relevant as it concerns funds that should have been used for government services.

In her opening speech during the first day of the impeachment trial, Luistro—the lead public prosecutor—said that the proceedings’ relevance has been questioned several times now, as it seems not to be the answer that struggling families are looking for.

However, Luistro noted that the impeachment trial does have an effect since it is a measure seeking to ensure accountability in the use of public funds.

Article continues after this advertisement

READ: Sara Duterte Impeachment Trial: Everything you need to know

FEATURED STORIES

NEWSINFO

NEWSINFO

NEWSINFO

“Many Filipinos are asking us now: why is this trial important? What is its relevance to the lives of ordinary Filipinos? We understand the reason behind these questions. To be honest, a driver has been asking us how would their income be enough to feed their families?”

“There’s a teacher asking how they can fit their salaries with the huge amount of loans they have to pay. […] At first glance, people may say that this trial is far from their daily lives. But that’s not true, because the discussions now are about a matter that all of them own—their money, their trust, and their right to hold officials accountable,” she added.

According to Luistro, if rank and file employees are penalized for misusing funds, then all the more should high-ranking officials of the government be held accountable.

“If an employee commits an error in handling a company’s funds, they are asked to explain. When a barangay treasurer cannot explain the missing funds, they are investigated. If a principal misuses public funds, even if that’s just P5,000, they are penalized,” she said.

Article continues after this advertisement

“It’s natural that the people will ask questions: if ordinary Filipinos are held accountable, why can’t we do the same for the most powerful officials of the land? This is the reason why this trial is important—not to persecute a certain individual, not to exact revenge, and not to win in politics,” she added.

During a press briefing after the trial, Luistro said she believes they were able to score a win, even as some of the motions raised by the prosecution panel did not go in their favor.

Article continues after this advertisement

According to Luistro, seeing the proceedings roll is already a victory.

“We are victorious; the prosecution won; the people won because we have waited for this impeachment trial for so long, and it is happening right now,” she said in Filipino.

“That alone, we claim victory for what happened today,” she added.

According to Luistro the fact that the trial is now moving forward, to allow accountability mechanisms to take place, is a win for them and the people.

READ: Losing on Day 1? Holding impeachment trial is already a huge victory – Luistro

Assumptions that the prosecution lost on Day 1 came after the first clash between the House of Representatives members and Duterte’s lawyers. Before delivering her opening statement, Luistro moved that Duterte be arraigned based on several Senate rules on impeachment, including Rule No. 7, which allows an arraignment when a respondent fails to appear or submit an answer.

But Duterte’s lawyer Sheila Sison asked whether Luistro is already asking for an arraignment, before countering this argument by saying that Duterte is present through her counsel, as the court allowed it.

READ: Senate impeachment court denies Luistro’s bid to arraign Duterte

After weeks of speculation, the Senate Impeachment Court convened to start the trial of Duterte, who was impeached by the House last May 11. 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.

READ: Impeached anew: House OKs articles vs Sara Duterte again with 257 votes

Your subscription could not be saved. Please try again.

Your subscription has been successful.

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. /cb