VP Sara compares impeachment trial to 'crucifixion'

Vice President Sara Duterte on Saturday likened her upcoming impeachment trial to a “crucifixion” as she celebrated her 47th birthday in The Hague, where she joined a rally in support of her father, detained former President Rodrigo Duterte.

Speaking to the media, Duterte said, “It’s a persecution, some sort of crucifixion. And so when there’s crucifixion, there’s blood. So, it’s a bloodbath, my bloodbath.”

The Vice President has previously stated that she prefers her impeachment trial to proceed because she wants a “bloodbath”—a remark that drew mixed reactions. 

Duterte, however, defended her choice of words, saying, “Many people refuse to understand the context wherein I give my statements. I think many misunderstood the word ‘bloodbath.’ Many did not want to understand, refused to understand what it means.”

She reiterated that the impeachment process is rooted in political retaliation.

“We have always said that the impeachment is a political persecution. It is the administration going after me,” she said.

Duterte said her legal team is ready for the trial despite varying opinions on whether it should proceed given that the 19th Congress is set to end this month.

Senate President Francis "Chiz" Escudero had earlier moved the presentation of the articles of impeachment from June 2 to June 11 to give way to pressing legislative matters. 

In February, the House of Representatives impeached Duterte over issues including the use of confidential funds, alleged involvement in extrajudicial killings in Davao City, and her saying that she had contracted someone to assassinate President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. if she were to be killed. 

Harry Roque

During the press conference, Duterte also addressed the Department of Justice’s decision to push for the cancellation of the passport of her ally, former presidential spokesperson Harry Roque. 

Roque is facing arrest over his alleged involvement in human trafficking cases tied to the raided Lucky South 99 Philippine Offshore Gaming Operator (POGO) hub in Porac, Pampanga.

“Naaawa ako kay Atty. Roque. Sa totoo lang, pakiramdam ko, ang dahilan ng persecution sa kanya ay dahil sa pagpapakita niya ng suporta sa dating Pangulong Duterte,” the Vice President said.

(I feel bad for Atty. Roque. In fact, I feel that the reason why he is being persecuted is because of his support for former President Duterte.)

Still, Duterte said she is confident in Roque’s ability to prove his innocence.

Roque has applied for political asylum in the Netherlands, where the International Criminal Court is headquartered and where former President Duterte is being held for prosecution for alleged crimes against humanity in his administration's drug war.

Earlier, Duterte addressed the recent Social Weather Stations (SWS) survey in which 88% of respondents said it was important for her to face the impeachment proceedings and answer the allegations. 

“I totally agree. Kasama ako doon sa 88% na iyan... thankful sa opportunity na malinis iyong pangalan ko at masagot iyong mga akusasyon sa akin,” she said. (I totally agree. I’m part of that 88%... I’m thankful for the opportunity to clear my name and respond to the accusations against me.)

The Vice President also said that the Senate's decision to reschedule the presentation of the articles of impeachment had no effect on her. 

“Wala naman siyang epekto sa akin... Iiwan na namin iyan sa mga lawyers namin, sa defense impeachment lawyers,” Duterte said.

(It has no effect on me... we’ll leave that to our lawyers, the defense impeachment lawyers.)

In addition, Duterte stated that she is not prioritizing talks of reconciliation with Marcos, despite the fact that he had shown interest in the idea, saying that the welfare of the public matters more than "personal issues." —VBL, GMA Integrated News