NUP unlikely to back Sara Duterte impeachment without 'new evidence'

The National Unity Party (NUP) on Wednesday said it is unlikely to vote in favor of the impeachment complaint filed against Vice President Sara Duterte unless “compelling new evidence” is presented.

“At this stage, the NUP has not seen the inclusion of new and material evidence that would warrant a departure from issues that have already been the subject of prior inquiries and extensive public hearings,” the NUP said in a statement.

“Unless compelling new evidence emerges during the course of these hearings that fundamentally alters the factual basis for the impeachment complaint, the NUP will most likely not vote in favor of this measure,” it added. 

The NUP also pointed out that the process must not be used as a political tool.

“It is not a political instrument nor a forum for revisiting matters already exhaustively examined,” the NUP said.

"Rather, it is a solemn constitutional mechanism for enforcing accountability at the highest levels of public office, and should be evaluated carefully in light of the evidence presented,” it added.

TIMELINE: Impeachment proceedings vs. Vice President Sara Duterte

The party clarified that it would not pre-empt the proceedings and remains open to assessing any new evidence that may be presented during deliberations.

For the party, Congress needs to prioritize urgent national concerns, saying impeachment proceedings consume substantial time and institutional resources from both chambers.

“The NUP believes that Congress must carefully allocate its time, focus, and institutional resources toward more pressing and urgent national concerns,” the NUP said.

“...Resources which we believe would be better directed toward matters that have a more immediate impact on the economic stability, public safety, and the daily welfare of Filipinos,” it added. —VAL, GMA Integrated News