Ridon slams VP Duterte’s latest ‘non-answer’ ahead of impeachment trial

“The House prosecution panel will submit its reply within the mandated period by the Senate impeachment court,” Ridon told reporters on Monday night, in reference to Duterte’s answer that was delivered by her counsel.

“It is should be noted that the answer is a rehash of its previous non-answer to the House Committee on Justice,” noted the lawyer-legislator.

Ridon highlighted in particular a supposed omission of the Duterte camp regarding one of the four articles of impeachment against the respondent.

“Based on the released executive summary, the answer also does not appear to directly address the Vice President’s threats against the President—an act made well within her term as Vice President and in full public view,” he said.

Ar the center of this article was Duterte’s Nov. 23, 2024 online media briefing, where she publicly declared that she had spoken to a person and instructed him to kill the country’s top officials if she were killed.

“The prosecution will address these matters fully and properly in its reply before the Senate impeachment court,” Ridon noted.

Vice President Duterte’s conviction through impeachment trial is being sought over her offices’ alleged misuse of P612.5 million worth of confidential funds; untruthful declarations in the filing of her statements of assets, liabilities, and net worth; unexplained wealth; and death threats to President Marcos, First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos, and former House Speaker Leyte 1st district Rep. Martin Romualdez.

The Senate impeachment trial is expected to start on July 6.

Verdict doesn’t come before trial

Another congressman-prosecutor, Akbayan Party-list Rep. Chel Diokno, said the Duterte camp’s prayer for a dismissal of the articles before the conduct of the actual trial contravenes the 1987 Constitution.

“Malinaw sa Konstitusyon (The Constitution is clear): “The Senate shall have the sole power to try and decide all cases of impeachment,” he said.

“Ibig sabihin, hindi puwedeng hatol muna bago trial. Kung nais malaman ang katotohanan, dapat munang marinig ang mga testigo at masuri ang lahat ng ebidensya sa isang bukas at patas na pagdinig,” stressed Diokno. (It means there cannot be a verdict before the trial. If the truth is to be known, witnesses must first be heard and all evidence examined in an open and fair hearing).

“Sundin ang Konstitusyon. Sundin ang due process. Walang special treatment sa mata ng batas (Follow the Constitution. Follow due process. No special treatment in the eyes of the law),” he said.

Lanao del Sur 1st district Rep. Zia Alonto Adiong, one of the spokespersons of the House prosecution panel, was more tempered with his response to Duterte’s filing.

“We acknowledge receipt of the answer filed by Vice President Sara Duterte to the articles of impeachment. The 11-member House prosecution panel, together with its legal team, will undertake a review of the submission,” he said.

“The public may be assured that the prosecution remains fully prepared and committed to its constitutional duty. Any reply or further legal response, if warranted, will be made after an evaluation of the submission,” Adiong said.

— Ellson Quismorio