Batangas Rep. Gerville “Jinky Bitrics” Luistro – Photo courtesy of Congresswoman Atty. Gerville “Jinky Bitrics” Luistro/Facebook.
The impeachment court on Monday confirmed it received a manifestation from the House prosecution panel instead of a direct reply to Vice President Sara Duterte’s response to the articles of impeachment.
The prosecution earlier said Duterte’s submission was a “non-answer,” arguing it failed to directly address the allegations raised against her.
Duterte’s camp filed its response on June 1, asking that the impeachment case be dismissed over alleged constitutional, procedural, and substantive defects in the House proceedings.
The House prosecution team said it would oppose the motion to dismiss the case.
Batangas Rep. Gerville Luistro, who leads the panel, earlier said the prosecution would push back against efforts to terminate the trial.
She is joined by a group of House prosecutors including Terry Ridon, Leila de Lima, Chel Diokno, Ysabel Zamora, Joel Chua, Lorenz Defensor, Keith Flores, Rodge Gutierrez, Lordan Suan, and Kaka Bag-ao.
The impeachment complaint against Duterte includes accusations of misuse of confidential funds, graft, unexplained wealth, and alleged conspiracy in a supposed plot against top state officials.
The impeachment court said it would continue evaluating submissions from both sides as preparations for the trial move forward.
