Manila: Malaca±ang on Thursday stated that the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte should prioritize uncovering the truth over political theatrics as the proceedings advance to the evidence presentation phase concerning the alleged misuse of confidential funds.
According to Philippines News Agency, Palace Press Officer Claire Castro emphasized the administration's expectation for the Senate impeachment court to avoid distractions and focus on determining the facts related to the charges. "Ang inaasahan po natin ay walang drama, walang pagtatago ng katotohanan at walang pag-iwas sa totoong issue na kinakaharap dito sa impeachment trial (What we expect is no drama, no concealment of the truth, and no evasion of the real issues being tackled in the impeachment trial)," Castro stated during a Palace press briefing.
Castro remarked that the Filipino public is interested in seeing the truth emerge, not drama within the Senate. Her comments followed the conclusion of the prosecution's witness presentation for Article IV of the Articles of Impeachment. This sets the stage for the trial's next phase, which will focus on the Vice President's confidential fund expenditures-a significant issue anticipated to dominate the upcoming proceedings.
The Palace official also dismissed the defense's argument that the willingness of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. to reconcile with the Duterte family lessened the gravity of the Vice President's alleged threats against him. Castro clarified that the President's remarks about reconciliation were indicative of his desire to unite with all Filipinos, irrespective of political differences, and were unrelated to the allegations being addressed in the impeachment court.
"Hindi nabubura ang pagbabanta sa buhay ng Pangulo, ni First Lady at ni dating House Speaker ng Bise Presidente (The alleged threats against the President, the First Lady, and the former House Speaker are not erased by that)," she noted.
Furthermore, Castro challenged Vice President Duterte to disclose her financial records if she truly has nothing to hide, following the defense's opposition to requests for access to bank, Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR), and Anti-Money Laundering Council (AMLC) documents on constitutional grounds. "Kung walang kinakatakutan, obligasyon naman niya sa taumbayan ipakita ang katotohanan (If she has nothing to fear, she owes it to the public to show the truth)," Castro asserted.
However, Castro mentioned that no request has yet reached the Office of the President seeking authorization to open the Vice President's sealed BIR records.
