Impeachment Trial of Vice President Sara Duterte Moves Forward
The 11-member House prosecution panel firmly believes there is now “no stopping” the Senate impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte. This confident stance was shared by Batangas 2nd district Rep. Gerville “Jinky Bitrics” Luistro during a press briefing on Wednesday, June 11.
Despite challenges faced by the prosecution team amid the controversial proceedings, the group remains optimistic. This positive outlook follows the Senate impeachment court’s formal service of summons to the Vice President.
“Apparently, the jurisdiction over the person of the respondent has been acquired already. She has a period of 10 days to answer that is non-extendable. And we hope that all issues which are being raised in the impeachment court will be tackled as well,” Luistro said, referring to Duterte.
She added, “It only shows na tuloy na tuloy na ang impeachment trial (It only shows the impeachment trial will surely push through). No one can stop this anymore because jurisdiction has been acquired already by the impeachment court over the person of the respondent.”
Public Trial Expected to Reveal Defenses
Luistro emphasized that the trial’s progress will allow both the prosecution and defense to present their cases openly. “So finally, the people of the Philippines will see from the answer of the Vice President what her defenses are,” she explained.
Currently, Vice President Duterte, the nation’s second highest official, is in Malaysia with her family.
The press conference included other prosecutors such as lead prosecutor 4PS Party-list Rep. Marcelino “Nonoy” Libanan, San Juan lone district Rep. Ysabel Maria Zamora, Manila 3rd district Rep. Joel Chua, Antipolo City 2nd district Rep. Romeo Acop, Ako Bicol Party-list Rep. Jil Bongalon, 1-Rider Party-list Rep. Rodge Gutierrez, and Bukidnon 2nd district Rep. Jonathan Keith Flores. Several other solon-prosecutors were not present.
For more news and updates on Senate impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte, visit Filipinokami.com.