Manila: Lead House impeachment prosecutor Rep. Gerville 'Jinky Bitrics' Luistro of Batangas emphasized on Tuesday that the potential resignation of Vice President Sara Z. Duterte should not automatically halt the ongoing impeachment trial. Speaking during a press conference held by the 11-member House prosecution panel at the House of Representatives, Luistro asserted that the Senate impeachment court must still evaluate the imposition of the penalty of perpetual disqualification from public office.
According to Philippines News Agency, Luistro clarified that his opinion is personal and not necessarily representative of the 11 prosecutors. He stressed the importance of continuing the trial to allow senator-judges to decide on perpetual disqualification, despite resignation rendering the penalty of removal moot.
Akbayan Party-list Rep. Chel Diokno, also a member of the prosecution panel, supported Luistro's stance, characterizing it as a valid legal point. Mamamayang Liberal Party-list Rep. Leila de Lima further highlighted the impeachment proceedings as a platform for Duterte to address the allegations against her, underscoring the importance of due process.
De Lima emphasized that if one is innocent, there should be no avoidance of the process. She also pointed out that Duterte's legal team plans to respond to the Senate impeachment summons by filing an appropriate answer. The Senate, acting as an impeachment court, has issued a writ of summons for Duterte to respond to the articles of impeachment.
During the press conference, the House prosecution panel also outlined the assignment of each prosecutor to the four articles of impeachment against Duterte. The charges include misuse of PHP612.5 million in confidential funds, failure to disclose assets and bank transactions in her Statements of Assets, Liabilities, and Net Worth (SALNs), alleged bribery during her tenure as Education secretary, and making grave threats against President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos, and former Speaker Martin Romualdez.
The 11-member prosecution panel expressed confidence in their ability to present compelling witnesses and evidence before the Senate impeachment court, believing that revealing the full truth will lead to securing a conviction.
