VP Sara: I wanted to see evidence of prosecution and defense presented

Vice President Sara Duterte said she wanted the pieces of evidence from both the prosecution and the defense presented in an impeachment trial.

According to Marisol Abdurahman's report on "24 Oras," Sara Duterte said her father, former President Rodrigo Duterte, was pleased after the Supreme Court declared the impeachment cases filed against her as unconstitutional. 

“Sinabi niya sa kanyang lawyer na mag-relax daw siya for one day. Hindi daw siya mag-meetings at hindi siya mag-physical therapy dahil gusto niya i-enjoy yung moment na nanalo yung kaso sa Supreme Court,” the vice president said. 

(He told his lawyer that he would relax for one day. He wouldn't have meetings or physical therapy because he wanted to enjoy the moment of me winning the case at the Supreme Court.) 

Sen. Erwin Tulfo on Wednesday challenged Sara to disclose all documents on the use of public funds as vice president and former secretary of the Department of Education if she is really innocent.

“I wanted all the pieces of evidence from the prosecution and all the pieces of evidence from the defense presented for everyone. But unfortunately, that will not happen for now. And of course, as I’ve said, we must prepare for what may possibly happen next,” Sara Duterte said.

“So possibly in 2026, 2027, or 2028, someone would again file an impeachment complaint - and that will be another opportunity to answer,” she added. 

Senate President Francis “Chiz” Escudero was one of the 19 senators who voted for the archival of the complaints. In his explanation to his vote, Escudero asked his colleagues: “...I ask this simple question, Mr. President, are you truly for accountability or simply anti-Duterte?” 

When asked for her comment about Escudero's statement, the vice president said: “Just because they are pro-yellow, pro-pink, or they are Marcos loyalists, many individuals see former President Rodrigo Duterte as a foe, by deduction they also see me as an enemy. So they label all Duterte’s as one Duterte.” –Vince Angelo Ferreras/NB, GMA Integrated News