By Ruth Abbey Gita-Carlos
MANILA – Malacañang on Wednesday said a single article of impeachment may be sufficient to seek the removal of Vice President Sara Duterte from office.
“Isa lang naman po ang kakailanganin, kung kinakailangang maipakita na dapat ma-impeach ang Bise Presidente (Only one article would be needed, if necessary, to establish that the Vice President should be impeached),” Palace Press Officer Claire Castro said in a press briefing.
Castro was responding to a question on whether the Senate impeachment court’s decision to allow the withdrawal of three of the four impeachment articles against Duterte could weaken the prosecution’s efforts to establish the truth behind the allegations.
On Tuesday, the Senate impeachment court allowed the House prosecution panel to withdraw Articles I, III and IV, leaving Article II as the sole remaining charge. The withdrawn articles cover allegations of misuse of confidential funds, bribery, and grave threats, while the remaining article concerns alleged unexplained wealth.
Castro said the administration supports transparency and accountability but would not interfere with the prosecution’s legal strategy or the senator-judges’ decisions in the impeachment trial.
She said the prosecution is best positioned to determine which evidence would be most effective in pursuing the case.
“We are all for the truth. We are all for transparency and accountability. Pero kung ito po ang legal na istratehiya ng prosekusyon, hindi po natin maku-kuwestiyon kung anuman ang kanilang desisyon (However, if this is the prosecution’s legal strategy, we cannot question whatever decision they make),” she said.
“Kung ‘yun po ang nakikita nila, sila naman po ang mga prosecutor. So, mas kabisado po nila kung ano ‘yung mas malakas nilang mga ebidensya (If that is what the prosecution believes is appropriate, they are the prosecutors. They know which of their evidence is stronger).”
Castro also stressed that Duterte has several avenues to respond to the allegations against her.
“Ang respondent na si Bise Presidente ay maaari namang tugunan ito sa marami namang pamamaraan (The respondent – the Vice President – has several ways to respond to the allegations),” she said. (PNA)
