Manila: Malaca±ang said Friday that Vice President Sara Z. Duterte should use the impeachment trial as an opportunity to clear her name. In a press briefing at the Sutton Place Hotel, Palace Press Officer Claire Castro emphasized that Duterte's participation in the trial would allow her to address questions directly and confront any witnesses who might testify against her.
According to Philippines News Agency, Castro reflected on Duterte's previous statement expressing her desire for a 'bloodbath' during the impeachment proceedings. She stated, "Iyan naman po ay karapatan ng isang respondent, ng isang defendant, maski na rin ng isang akusado, na harapin personal ang kanyang mga testigo o mga testigo laban sa kanya (It is the right of a respondent, a defendant, even the accused, to personally face the witnesses against them)." Castro further noted that the trial offers the Vice President a platform to exhibit her ability to respond to the allegations.
Highlighting the importance of transparency, Castro suggested that it would be advantageous for Duterte to engage in the proceedings to address the allegations in the appropriate forum. She emphasized that if Duterte's legal team believes in her innocence, they should facilitate her participation in the trial. "Alam naman nila na 'yung kanilang kliyente ay walang kasalanan at malinis, mas magandang maipakita ito sa buong mga kababayan natin at sa buong mundo na ang Bise Presidente ay malinis. Kung yan ang gusto nila ipakita, mas maganda po ngayon (If they believe their client is innocent and has done nothing wrong, it would be better to show the Filipino people and the world that the Vice President is innocent. If that is what they want to demonstrate, now is the best time to do so)," she explained.
Castro clarified that the proceedings are under the jurisdiction of the Senate acting as an impeachment court. She stated that the executive branch respects the Senate's constitutional authority to conduct the impeachment trial and the procedures it will implement. "Ito ay ang Senado kung ano man ang magiging proseso dito. Ginagalang po natin yan dahil yan po ay nasa kamay po ng Senado. At kung ano man po ang estratehiya ng mga lawyers, pati ng prosecution, ay nasa kanila po iyan (It is up to the Senate whatever process it adopts. We respect it because it is in the hands of the Senate, whatever strategy the defense lawyers and the prosecution pursue is entirely up to them)," Castro commented.
In a notice dated July 2, signed by Senate President Sherwin Gatchalian as the presiding officer, the Senate impeachment court summoned Duterte to appear at the start of the trial on July 6, either in person or through her counsel.
