House prosecutors studying Sara Duterte’s answer to impeachment articles, to reply within 5 days
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House prosecutors studying Sara Duterte’s answer to impeachment articles, to reply within 5 days
Vice President Sara Duterte holds a press conference, February 7, 2025. Maria Tan, ABS-CBN News/File
Vice President Sara Duterte holds a press conference, February 7, 2025. Maria Tan, ABS-CBN News/File MANILA — A member of the House prosecution panel said Tuesday they were studying Vice President Sara Duterte’s response to the articles of impeachment filed against her and will file a reply within five days.
MANILA — A member of the House prosecution panel said Tuesday they were studying Vice President Sara Duterte’s response to the articles of impeachment filed against her and will file a reply within five days.
The House of Representatives received a copy of Duterte’s answer ad cautelam on Monday.
The House of Representatives received a copy of Duterte’s answer ad cautelam on Monday.
“The entire prosecution team is currently studying each and every allegation contained in the Answer. Certainly, we will be filing a Reply within 5 days from receipt as provided in the Rules,” House impeachment prosecutor Rep. Gerville Luistro said in a message.
“The entire prosecution team is currently studying each and every allegation contained in the Answer. Certainly, we will be filing a Reply within 5 days from receipt as provided in the Rules,” House impeachment prosecutor Rep. Gerville Luistro said in a message.
In her answer ad cautelam, Duterte’s camp asserted that the impeachment complaint elevated to the Senate “must be dismissed”, saying it is “void ab initio” or “void from the beginning” for violating the Constitutional provision that prohibits more than one impeachment complaint to be initiated against an impeachable official within one year.
In her answer ad cautelam, Duterte’s camp asserted that the impeachment complaint elevated to the Senate “must be dismissed”, saying it is “void ab initio” or “void from the beginning” for violating the Constitutional provision that prohibits more than one impeachment complaint to be initiated against an impeachable official within one year.
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Last June 11, the House of Representatives adopted a resolution certifying that the impeachment proceedings against Duterte fully complied with the requirements of the Constitution.
Last June 11, the House of Representatives adopted a resolution certifying that the impeachment proceedings against Duterte fully complied with the requirements of the Constitution.
‘TACTIC TO AVOID ACCOUNTABILITY’?
House Assistant Majority Leader and TINGOG party-list Rep. Jude Acidre expressed concern over the technicalities being raised by Duterte’s camp, instead of facing the allegations.
House Assistant Majority Leader and TINGOG party-list Rep. Jude Acidre expressed concern over the technicalities being raised by Duterte’s camp, instead of facing the allegations.
“Ang mas interesado ang ating mga kababayan ay malaman kung saan ba talaga napunta at nagastos ang confidential funds. Kung mayroon bang pananagutan ‘yung pagsabi po ng ating pangalawang Pangulo na ipapapatay niya ang Presidente, ang unang Ginang at ang Speaker. I think this has never been and should not be a question of personalities. This should be a matter of accountability that I think in any case, the people are entitled to the full information and the full knowledge of what really happened,” Acidre said.
“Ang mas interesado ang ating mga kababayan ay malaman kung saan ba talaga napunta at nagastos ang confidential funds. Kung mayroon bang pananagutan ‘yung pagsabi po ng ating pangalawang Pangulo na ipapapatay niya ang Presidente, ang unang Ginang at ang Speaker. I think this has never been and should not be a question of personalities. This should be a matter of accountability that I think in any case, the people are entitled to the full information and the full knowledge of what really happened,” Acidre said.
“Ang worry ko lang sa sobrang technical ng usapan, mafu-frustrate ang taong bayan. Siguro naman, whether gusto mo o ayaw mo sa pangalawang Pangulo, gusto mo makita na ano talaga ang nangyari. Kung wala namang kasalanan, edi i-acquit. Kung mayroon naman, panagutin,” he added.
“Ang worry ko lang sa sobrang technical ng usapan, mafu-frustrate ang taong bayan. Siguro naman, whether gusto mo o ayaw mo sa pangalawang Pangulo, gusto mo makita na ano talaga ang nangyari. Kung wala namang kasalanan, edi i-acquit. Kung mayroon naman, panagutin,” he added.
House Deputy Minority Leader and ACT Teachers party-list Rep. France Castro also criticized what she called “legal gymnastics” employed by Duterte’s camp, which for her is an “attempt to escape scrutiny”.
House Deputy Minority Leader and ACT Teachers party-list Rep. France Castro also criticized what she called “legal gymnastics” employed by Duterte’s camp, which for her is an “attempt to escape scrutiny”.
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"Instead of directly addressing the serious charges against her, she continues to hide behind technicalities and procedural arguments. This is a clear pattern of evasion and refusal to be held accountable for her actions," she said in a statement.
"Instead of directly addressing the serious charges against her, she continues to hide behind technicalities and procedural arguments. This is a clear pattern of evasion and refusal to be held accountable for her actions," she said in a statement.
"The Filipino people deserve answers, not legal gymnastics. VP Duterte should face the impeachment court with courage and transparency, not with evasive tactics designed to avoid accountability," Castro added.
"The Filipino people deserve answers, not legal gymnastics. VP Duterte should face the impeachment court with courage and transparency, not with evasive tactics designed to avoid accountability," Castro added.
“Hindi marathon ang impeachment na pwedeng takbuhan ng takbuhan. The people expect better from their elected officials,” she said.
“Hindi marathon ang impeachment na pwedeng takbuhan ng takbuhan. The people expect better from their elected officials,” she said.
Acidre and Castro reiterated the lower chamber’s position that its impeachment proceedings against Duterte were fully compliant with the Constitution.
Acidre and Castro reiterated the lower chamber’s position that its impeachment proceedings against Duterte were fully compliant with the Constitution.
"VP Duterte's claim that the impeachment violates the one-year bar rule is legally baseless and procedurally flawed. The House has already certified that the proceedings fully comply with Constitutional requirements. Her lawyers are simply grasping at straws," Castro explained.
"VP Duterte's claim that the impeachment violates the one-year bar rule is legally baseless and procedurally flawed. The House has already certified that the proceedings fully comply with Constitutional requirements. Her lawyers are simply grasping at straws," Castro explained.
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"Nakakahiya na ang Vice President ng bansa ay gumagamit ng mga dahilan na walang basehan para lang makaiwas sa pagharap sa katotohanan," she added.
"Nakakahiya na ang Vice President ng bansa ay gumagamit ng mga dahilan na walang basehan para lang makaiwas sa pagharap sa katotohanan," she added.
“Nag-assert naman ang House na ito po ay fully compliant with the Constitutional requirements,” Acidre said.
“Nag-assert naman ang House na ito po ay fully compliant with the Constitutional requirements,” Acidre said.
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