Vice Pres. Sara Duterte Speaks on Response to Senate Impeachment Court’s Summons
SARA DUTERTE – The Vice President cited her lawyers as she explained her request for the dismissal of the impeachment case against her.
The Senate impeachment court ruled to remand the Articles of Impeachment against Vice Pres. Sara Duterte to the House of Representatives. The senator judges seek clarification over the constitutionality of the impeachment of the Vice President and a reconfirmation from the 20th Congress.
Eighteen (18) senators voted in favor of the motion to return the Articles of Impeachment against Vice Pres. Sara Duterte to the lower chamber. House Speaker Martin Romualdez described the move of the Senate impeachment court as “deeply concerning”. Here are the senator judges who supported and opposed the motion:
YES
- Alan Peter Cayetano
- Pia Cayetano
- Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa
- JV Ejercito
- Chiz Escudero
- Jinggoy Estrada
- Bong Go
- Lito Lapid
- Loren Legarda
- Imee Marcos
- Robin Padilla
- Bong Revilla
- Francis Tolentino
- Raffy Tulfo
- Joel Villanueva
- Cynthia Villar
- Mark Villar
- Juan Miguel Zubiri
NO
- Koko Pimentel
- Risa Hontiveros
- Sherwin Gatchalian
- Grace Poe
- Nancy Binay
Senate Pres. Chiz Escudero made it clear that the return of Duterte’s impeachment to the House does not mean a dismissal of the case. He also stressed that the Vice President will be sent summons as a proof that the impeachment case was not terminated.
Recently, in her response to the summons, Vice Pres. Sara Duterte said the impeachment case against her “must be dismissed”. The Vice President also downplayed the evidence of the prosecution team against her and called the impeachment document as “nothing more than a scrap of paper”.
However, the Vice President seeking for the dismissal of the impeachment case against her is seen contrary to her nature as well as her previous statements. Previously, she stressed that she accepted whether she will be acquitted or convicted in the trial.
Recently, Vice Pres. Sara Duterte explained why she asked for the dismissal of the impeachment case against her in her response to the summons. Based on a report on ABS-CBN News, the Vice President stressed that she and her lawyers have different wants over the case.
“Ako yung client. May sarili akong gusto. Mayroon din akong mga abogado. Nagbabayad ako sa kanila for their professional services,” she said.
Furthermore, Vice Pres. Sara Duterte said she does not want to waste money. Based on the report, she stressed that it is the expertise of her lawyers to defend, thus, she follow their advice.
“Ang expertise nila na maghanda at magdefend ng impeachment case so as a client hindi ko papairalin yung gusto ko over sa gusto ng abogado because that would mean I would waste my money paying lawyers but not listening to their expert advise,” the Vice President said.
Recently, amid the continuing issues between her and the President, Vice Pres. Sara Duterte criticized the order of Pres. Bongbong Marcos to increase police patrols in the fight against crimes in the country.