Impeachment trial pivots to VP Sara’s fitness for office — prosecution

MANILA — The House prosecution announced Monday that the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte has entered a new phase. Having established their foundational evidence, prosecutors are now shifting focus to prove that Duterte is no longer fit to hold the country’s second-highest office.

During a press briefing, House prosecution spokesperson and adviser Robert Ace Barbers explained that the panel’s goal for the week is to advance the case by demonstrating whether the Vice President remains fit to hold office.

READ: Sara Duterte impeachment trial: NBI exec to testify on alleged hitman contract

The prosecution made the statement ahead of the resumption of the impeachment trial, where it is set to present National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) Regional Director Jeremy Lotoc as its second witness under the fourth Article of Impeachment.

Sara Duterte threats

The article accuses Duterte of making grave threats against President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos and former Speaker Martin Romualdez over her Nov. 23, 2024 online press conference, during which she said she had contracted someone to kill them if she herself were killed.

Barbers said impeachment proceedings differ from criminal prosecutions because they are intended to determine whether a public official should remain in office rather than impose criminal penalties.

READ: No healing without closure in Sara Duterte impeachment trial – De Lima

“This process, this impeachment process, walang kulong, kundi ‘yung pagtatanggal lamang sa opisina. Kasi ang malaking tanong: ikaw ba ay karapat-dapat na manilbihan o manungkulan bilang pangalawang Pangulo after nakita natin itong mga ebidensyang inilatag na ito (there’s no imprisonment, but rather the removal from office. Because the big question is: are you worthy to serve as the Vice President after seeing the evidence presented against you)?” he said.

Lotoc is expected to testify on the NBI’s investigation into Duterte’s remarks and the circumstances surrounding the filing of criminal complaints arising from the incident as the prosecution continues presenting evidence before the Senate impeachment court.

Deputy Speaker Paolo Ortega V of La Union said the prosecution would maintain the same approach as the trial progresses, relying on the strength of its evidence rather than outside noise.

READ: LIVE: VP Sara Duterte impeachment Day 4

“Ang spoiler lang kasi na pwede kong ibigay, eh magiging consistent lagi ang prosecution panel (the only spoiler that I can give is that the prosecution panel will always be consistent),” Ortega said.

“Sigurado ’yan na nakahanda at mas maingay ang ebidensya sa kahit anong ingay sa palibot ng impeachment (The evidence is ready and noisier than any other noise surrounding the impeachment, that’s for sure),” he said, stressing that consistency would continue to define the prosecution’s presentation throughout the proceedings. (PNA)

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