Efforts to Block Impeachment Trial Show VP Sara Duterte’s Fear
Efforts to block the impeachment trial in the Senate reveal fear from the defense side, aiming to prevent the public from seeing evidence of Vice President Sara Duterte’s alleged misuse of confidential funds, former senator and incoming Mamamayang Liberal Party Representative Leila de Lima said.
“You can say, they’re really scared. I mean VP Sara is scared,” De Lima remarked, pointing to tactics such as delaying the Senate trial, overseas trips, and using an Ombudsman ruling to preempt the proceedings.
De Lima expressed concern that these moves seem designed to avoid a proper trial and keep critical evidence from surfacing. She spoke mostly in Filipino during a radio interview, as reported in a recent statement.
Ombudsman Order and Senate Actions Indicate Pattern
The Office of the Ombudsman issued an order against Duterte and other officials, instructing them to respond to complaints initiated by the House of Representatives. The vice president’s office confirmed receiving this order on June 20.
Earlier, the Senate chose to remand the articles of impeachment against Duterte, which De Lima believes reflects a clear pattern of avoidance.
She also highlighted Duterte’s frequent absence from the country amid these legal proceedings.
“This is what she is doing now, you don’t know if she is still working as VP. Because if she is always abroad, meeting her supporters. She left already for Australia to meet up and have some sort of rally again. The ‘Bring former Pres. Duterte home,’” De Lima said in Filipino.
Concerns Over Senate Partiality and Trial Integrity
The lawmaker addressed issues about the impeachment trial after some senators showed signs of bias.
De Lima clarified that the prosecution cannot compel any senator-judge to recuse themselves. She criticized senators who publicly endorsed Duterte as the next president, calling such behavior “beyond the bounds of propriety.”
“If there is a basis, there is a basis. The basis is clear. What else can you call that but bias? Do you see a court of a judge file and move for dismissal? That doesn’t happen,” she said in Filipino.
She added, “So it’s up to the concerned judge if he has any delicadeza, if he has any sense of propriety. Ordinarily, he should.”
For more news and updates on impeachment trial efforts, visit Filipinokami.com.