House's 'birthday gift' to VP Sara Duterte is due process, says spox

The “gift” the House of Representatives could give Vice President Sara Duterte on her birthday is due process, House trial spokesperson Kabataan Party-list Rep. Renee Co said Sunday.

“Despite everything that's happening, ang gift natin kay VP Sara ay ‘yung due process para kung ano mang mga alegasyon laban sa kanya, masagot niya nang maayos. Sana hawakan niya at ma-enjoy ‘yung birthday wish ng due process,” Co told Super Radyo dzBB.

(Despite everything that's happening, our gift to VP Sara is due process so she can properly respond to the allegations against her. I hope she embraces and makes the most of this birthday wish of due process.)

“Sagutin sana niya ang wish ng taumbayan sa kanyang kaarawan, ang matagal nang hinahanap sa kanya—‘yung pagharap sa proseso ng pananagutan,” she added.

(On her birthday, I hope she fulfills the people’s long-standing wish by facing the process of accountability.)

Co made the statement when asked for the House’s birthday message to the Vice President, who celebrates her 48th birthday on May 31.

Duterte’s deadline to respond to the writ of summons in her impeachment case is on June 1.

The Office of the Vice President has confirmed receipt of the documents, but Duterte has yet to submit her response.

“Panghahawakan natin ‘yung sinabi niya na magsusumite siya ng sagot. Hinihintay na rin ng taumbayan ang depensa niya,” Co said.

(We will hold her to her statement that she will submit an answer. The public is also waiting for her defense.)

“Ito na kasi ‘yung huling pagkakataon ni VP Sara para ilatag ang kanyang sagot at depensa sapagkat pagkatapos nito, tuloy-tuloy na ang paglilitis kung hindi ito mailalatag,” she added.

(This may be Vice President Sara’s last chance to present her response and defense, because after this, the trial will proceed if it is not filed.)

Under Resolution No. 39 or the Rules of Procedure on Impeachment Trial, Duterte was given a non-extendible period of 10 calendar days from receipt to file her pleadings.

She will also be ordered to appear before the Senate “upon notice.”

The prosecution, meanwhile, may file a reply within a non-extendible period of five calendar days from receipt of the answer.

Senator Erwin Tulfo earlier said that when Duterte’s impeachment trial begins on July 6, the Senate will hold regular sessions in the morning before proceeding with the impeachment trial in the afternoon from Monday to Wednesday.

The House of Representatives impeached Duterte on allegations of culpable violation of the Constitution, graft and corruption, betrayal of public trust, bribery, and other high crimes over the following acts:

• Alleged misuse of P612.5 million in confidential funds and alleged use of these funds as bribes
• Alleged threats to kill President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and his family, including her statement about removing the head of the Chief Executive
• Alleged accumulation of unexplained wealth

—MCG, GMA News