Dennis Gasgonia

House leader, prosecutors reject VP Sara’s claim 'political interest' behind call for accountability

Article (news)

Vivienne Gulla

ABS-CBN News

<p>MANILA — House impeachment prosecutors and a House leader rejected Vice President Sara Duterte’s allegation that &quot;political interests&quot; are behind calls for accountability.</p><p>They urged Duterte to instead answer the allegations in the Articles of Impeachment filed against her.</p><p>“Hindi po ito pamumulitika… Ang ginagawang impeachment trial ay sang-ayon sa Saligang Batas. It is our moral obligation, and our moral duty… Calling to stop all of this might be pointing to the fact na hindi ma-depensahan ‘yung mga alegasyon doon,” House Deputy Speaker Janette Garin of Iloilo said.</p><p>Manila 3rd District Rep. Joel Chua, a House prosecutor, added the people have been waiting for Duterte to address allegations of misuse of confidential funds.</p><p>“‘Yan po muna ang sagutin niya bago siya magsabi na kami ay namumulitika lamang,” House Impeachment Prosecutor Joel Chua added.</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/7/10/defense-says-no-effort-to-delay-duterte-trial-1143"><strong>Defense says no effort to &#x27;delay&#x27; Sara Duterte trial </strong></a> </div><p>In next week’s impeachment trial, the House prosecution is expected to present as witnesses National Bureau of Investigation Regional Director Jeremy Lotoc, Duterte’s Chief of Staff Zuleika Lopez, and House of Representatives Legislative Security Bureau Executive Director Belinda Bello. Their testimony will focus on the impeachment article alleging grave threats. </p><p>The prosecution and the defense have until Monday to submit their respective formal memoranda on the prosecution’s request to subpoena tax, bank, and Anti-Money Laundering Council records linked to Vice President Duterte and her husband.</p><p>Oral arguments on the issue are scheduled for Wednesday.</p><p>The prosecution asserts such records may be disclosed in the impeachment trial.</p><p>“Pwedeng ipa-subpoena ng Senate impeachment court itong mga dokumentong ito in pursuance of its mandate of accountability. Pwedeng ipakuha, pwede buksan, pwedeng isalang doon sa Senate impeachment court kahit wala pong pagpayag ng Pangulo ng Pilipinas,” House Impeachment Prosecutor Terry Ridon explained. </p><p>“There was never an objective for the AMLC amendment to ensure that those who are undertaking illegal transactions, suspicious transactions, covered transactions to be able to be protected under  this confidentiality provision,” he added.</p><div><br/></div><div><strong>SENATE READY IF DUTERTE ATTENDS</strong></div><p>The Senate is ready should Duterte decide to physically attend her impeachment trial, according to impeachment court spokesperson Atty. Reginald Tongol. </p><p>He said she may take a seat in the VIP gallery of the Senate Session Hall.</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/7/7/multiple-defense-objections-get-blanked-on-lengthy-day-2-of-duterte-s-impeachment-trial-2018"><strong>Multiple defense objections get blanked on lengthy Day 2 of Duterte&#x27;s impeachment trial</strong></a></div><p>“Araw-araw naman ini-expect ng Senado ang kanyang pagpunta. Dahil na rin karapatan niya yun bilang respondent doon sa impeachment trial. At kaya naman yung Senado, through the Office of the Senate Secretary, naghanda yan ng holding room talaga sa bise presidente to respect the office that she holds as well and the stature that she has in our system of government,” Tongol explained.</p>

<p>House impeachment prosecutors and a House leader rejected Vice President Sara Duterte’s allegation that behind calls for accountability are “political interests.”</p>

House impeachment prosecutors and a House leader rejected Vice President Sara Duterte’s allegation that behind calls for accountability are “political interests.”