Manila: The House prosecution on Friday dismissed Vice President Sara Duterte's allegations that the ongoing impeachment proceedings are compromised by the 'bending of the law.' Instead, they urged the Vice President to address issues related to the alleged misuse of confidential funds within her own office.

According to Philippines News Agency, House trial spokesperson Renee Co from the Kabataan Party-list highlighted that the only instances of legal manipulation observed so far relate to the alleged dubious expenditure of confidential funds by the Office of the Vice President (OVP) and the Department of Education (DepEd) under Duterte's leadership. Co pointed out the lack of official receipts for numerous acknowledgment receipts submitted, questioning the acceptable use of these confidential funds.

Co emphasized the need for Vice President Duterte to address these concerns, particularly in light of findings from the Commission on Audit (COA) regarding the irregular use and liquidation of confidential funds by the OVP and DepEd.

House impeachment team adviser and spokesperson Robert Ace Barbers also criticized Duterte's remarks, noting that she failed to specify which law was allegedly violated or how. Barbers pointed out that the Supreme Court and House of Representatives' clarificatory hearings have already confirmed the constitutionality of the impeachment process.

Barbers added that if Duterte's concerns pertain to the evidence presented by the prosecution, it is the responsibility of the defense to counter these allegations with their own evidence.

Prosecution counsel Benjamin "Jay" Tolosa Jr. expressed concern over Duterte's description of the impeachment proceedings as 'disorderly' and accused her of undermining the constitutional process and the integrity of the Impeachment Court. He questioned if Duterte's statements implied unlawful acts tolerated by the impeachment court and presiding officer.

Tolosa assured that throughout the trial, the prosecution has respected the rulings of presiding officer Senator Francis Escudero, who has conducted the proceedings fairly and in accordance with the Constitution and rules. He noted that even the defense has acknowledged the fairness of the presiding officer.

The prosecution left it to the discretion of the presiding officer to determine if Duterte's statements constitute an attack on the integrity of the impeachment process and the court.