Manila: The House prosecution should present all four articles of impeachment against Vice President Sara Duterte rather than seek to end the trial after the confidential-funds phase, a prosecution adviser said Tuesday. House prosecution panel adviser and spokesperson and former Surigao del Norte Rep. Robert 'Ace' Barbers rejected suggestions that prosecutors already have sufficient evidence to seek a judgment without completing their case.
According to Philippines News Agency, Barbers emphasized the importance of presenting all four articles of impeachment. "Ako, personally, sa tingin ko, mas magandang mailatag lahat yung apat na articles (Personally, I think it would be better to present all four articles)," Barbers said, underscoring that the case holds allegations of misuse and irregular liquidation of Office of the Vice President (OVP) and Department of Education (DepEd) confidential funds, unexplained wealth, bribery at DepEd, and threats against President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos, and former Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez.
Barbers highlighted that completing the presentation of the articles would counter claims by Duterte's supporters suggesting that the impeachment proceedings are politically motivated. "Kasi maraming nagsasabi na ito ay isang pamumulitika (Because many are saying this is politically motivated), which we vehemently, of course, deny," Barbers said, reiterating the prosecution's confidence in their evidence against Duterte.
He further noted that the case is firmly based on substantial evidence backing each article rather than mere speculation or political rumor. Barbers provided an example of the evidence presented on Duterte's alleged threats to illustrate the necessity of hearing the full case.
He also mentioned the documentary evidence included in the confidential-funds phase, which should be considered alongside the remaining allegations. "Kasi hindi mabubuo yung litrato pag kulang yung puzzle o kulang yung piece. Kaya dapat para sa akin i-diretso buuin natin yung apat na articles (Because the picture won't be complete if a puzzle or a piece is missing. So, for me, we should continue and complete all four articles)," Barbers emphasized.
Addressing concerns over public comments by lawyers involved in the impeachment trial, Barbers clarified there is no gag order preventing House prosecutors from discussing the trial publicly and assured that prosecution lawyers have not overstepped by publicly arguing the merits of the case. "Wala pa namang (There's no) gag order as of this time as we speak," he stated.
Barbers also stressed the necessity for a lawyer among the House prosecution's public communicators to accurately address technical legal questions related to the impeachment trial. "Kailangan pa rin ng abogado kasi kaming mga na-identify as spokespersons dito sa panel ng prosecution, hindi naman kami mga abogado (We still need a lawyer because those of us identified as spokespersons on the prosecution panel are not lawyers)," he explained.
The prosecution team is comprised of 11 House members, aided by 15 private prosecutors. Barbers, serving as the appointed prosecution spokesperson and impeachment adviser, plays a crucial role in elucidating the proceedings to the public.
