VICE President Sara Duterte’s attempt to have the impeachment complaint against her dismissed suggests she lacks evidence to defend herself, according to House of Representatives prosecution panel spokesperson, lawyer Antonio Bucoy.
Speaking at the Saturday News Forum in Quezon City, Bucoy said Duterte’s refusal to directly respond to the allegations indicates either a weak defense or an effort to prevent damning evidence from being revealed.
“If she really wanted to clear her name, she would respond with facts,” Bucoy said.
“What we’ve presented are factual, supported by testimonial, documentary, and demonstrative evidence.”
“The problem is, she doesn’t want to answer. She’s stalling, and now she wants the complaint dismissed outright. What does that mean? Either she has no evidence or she doesn’t want ours to be seen,” he added.
Bucoy’s remarks come after the House prosecution team filed its reply to Duterte’s Answer ad cautelam, where the vice president sought the dismissal of the impeachment complaint.
Duterte faces charges of culpable violation of the Constitution, bribery, graft and corruption, betrayal of public trust, and other high crimes—primarily over her alleged misuse of P612.5 million in confidential funds.
