Sara Duterte seeks faster impeachment trial proceedings

Vice President Sara Duterte on Wednesday called for the faster resolution of her impeachment case, saying the proceedings should not drag on as the public remains uncertain about the allegations against her.

Duterte said she is leaving the impeachment proceedings to her spokesperson and defense team, whom she said she fully trusts.

“Gusto lang sana namin ay mapabilis yung proseso dahil hindi pwedeng tumatagal yung proseso natin,” Duterte said during an interview in Zamboanga City.

(We simply hope the process can be expedited because the proceedings cannot drag on.)

She said a prolonged process leaves people wondering whether the allegations against her are true.

“Nag-iisip yung mga tao, ano ba totoo ba na may ginawang masama, hindi ba totoo yung mga akusasyon,” she said.

(People are left wondering whether she really did something wrong and whether the allegations are true.)

Duterte said the 1987 Constitution provides for the speedy administration of proceedings.

Personal appearance

Asked whether her personal attendance could help speed up the impeachment process, Duterte rejected the suggestion.

“Hindi po totoo yun kasi fully represented ako noong ating defense team at sufficient yan na meron kang mga abogado doon na nag-participate doon sa process,” she said.

(That is not true because I am fully represented by my defense team, and having my lawyers participate in the process is sufficient.)

Duterte said her lawyers are the ones tasked with presenting witnesses and conducting cross-examinations during the proceedings.

“Hindi naman ako abogado para sa impeachment doon,” she said.

(I am not a lawyer for the impeachment proceedings.)

She added that her participation as the respondent does not necessarily require her physical presence during every stage of the proceedings.

Duterte’s remarks came during her visit to Zamboanga City, where she also visited the wake of a Grade 10 student killed in the shooting at Ateneo de Zamboanga University. — RSJ, GMA News