Vice President Sara Duterte at The Hague, The Netherlands (Photo by: Zen Hernandez, ABS-CBN News)
Deputy Majority Leader and Iloilo 3rd District Representative Lorenz Defensor, a member of the House of Representatives’ impeachment prosecutors, said that Vice President Sara Duterte’s presence in the impeachment trial is not necessary for it to proceed.
Defensor said that instead of the Vice President, her lawyers can represent her for the trial to proceed.
However, her presence is still important, stressed the Deputy Majority Leader.
“VP Sara can choose to attend or not to attend the impeachment trial. As long as her counsel represents her during the trial, the trial can proceed kahit wala siya (the trial can proceed even without her). But remember, her personal appearance would say a lot concerning her accountability, with respect to transparency in the trial,” Defensor said.
“Kasi ang gusto lang naman marinig ng mga taong bayan is paano mo ginastos ‘yung pera ng confidential and intelligence funds (The nation just wants to know how she spent the confidential and intelligence funds). And a straight answer from her would answer all the questions,” he added.
The second of the seven Articles of Impeachment filed against the Vice President pertains to the alleged misuse of P612.5 million in confidential funds, with liquidation documents that are reportedly dubious.
According to Defensor, the House prosecution panel is currently 80% prepared for the impeachment trial.
Iloilo Congressman, along with San Juan Representative Ysabel Maria Zamora, is responsible for Article 1, which concerns the alleged threats made by the Vice President against President Bongbong Marcos, First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos, and Speaker Martin Romualdez.