Member of House Prosecutor Team Speaks on VP Sara Duterte Impeachment Trial
A House prosecutor, Iloilo 3rd District Representative Lorenz Defensor, spoke on the importance of Vice President Sara Duterte’s appearance during the impeachment trial.
Among the Duterte siblings, it was Vice Pres. Sara Duterte who immediately flew to The Hague, Netherlands to follow former Pres. Rodrigo Roa Duterte whose custody was transferred to the International Criminal Court. The former President was arrested last March 11 and was sent to The Hague on the same day.
According to Vice Pres. Duterte, she’s the only lawyer in their family and the only one with a Schengen Visa at that time. She stressed that she will set the legal team of her father before she returns to the Philippines.
Vice Pres. Sara Duterte revealed that former Pres. Rodrigo Roa Duterte wants her to return to the Philippines immediately. The next phase of the pre-trial of the former President is set on September 23 for the confirmation of the charges against him.
Back in the Philippines, the Vice President has a pending impeachment trial in the Senate. Senate Pres. Chiz Escudero previously proposed a July 30 start on the impeachment trial. There are calls on the upper chamber to begin the trial but the Senate chief refused citing that the session is on break.
Recently, a member of the House prosecutor team, Deputy Majority Leader and Iloilo 3rd District Representative Lorenz Defensor, stressed that Vice Pres. Sara Duterte may or may not personally appear at the impeachment trial. Based on a report on GMA News, he expressed that she can be represented by her lawyer but it is different if she personally appears at the trial.
“Her personal appearance would say a lot with respect to her accountability, with respect to transparency in the trial,” Defensor said.
Based on the report, the House Prosecutor further said that what the nation wants to her is just how she spent the funds given to her offices. Thus, her physical appearance will say a lot although the trial can proceed even without her personal appearance.
“Kasi ang gusto lang naman marinig ng mga taong bayan is paano mo ginastos ‘yung pera ng confidential and intelligence funds. And a straight answer from her would answer all the questions,” the House Prosecutor said.
The House Prosecutor said their team is 80% ready for the impeachment trial. Previously, Senate Pres. Chiz Escudero stressed that the impeachment trial of Vice Pres. Sara Duterte will push through despite the ICC battle of former Pres. Duterte.