The impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte has formally begun, marking the first time in Philippine history that a sitting vice president faces an impeachment trial before the Senate.
Four articles of impeachment are being heard against Duterte: the alleged misuse of more than P612 million in confidential funds, the alleged misuse of confidential funds during her time as Education secretary, alleged unexplained wealth based on her Statement of Assets, Liabilities and Net Worth (SALN), and her alleged threats against President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos, and former House Speaker Martin Romualdez.
The prosecution maintains that the case is about accountability, while Duterte's camp argues that the impeachment is politically motivated and meant to prevent her from seeking higher office in 2028.
Duterte skipped the first day of the trial, but made a brief appearance at the Senate on the second day to meet with her legal team.
She declined to answer questions from reporters, saying only: "In this bloodbath and bludgeoning, I will be bloodied but unbowed."
The trial is scheduled for 92 hearing dates, with proceedings expected to last several months.
'Story of accountability'
In an interview with Jessica Soho on "Kapuso Mo, Jessica Soho," lead prosecutor Batangas Rep. Gerville Luistro said the prosecution was satisfied with how the first two days of the trial unfolded.
"We are very positive. Sapagkat for day 1 and 2, we were able to achieve our goal and we are very much focused on what we are doing and hopeful that we will be able to present very well every piece of evidence that we have, and submit to the honorable Senator-Judges," she said.
["We are very positive. Because, for days 1 and 2, we were able to achieve our goal and we are very much focused on what we are doing and hopeful that we will be able to present very well every piece of evidence that we have, and submit it to the honorable Senator-Judges."]
Luistro said the prosecution's goal is to show that the impeachment case is about public accountability rather than politics.
"Well, this should be the story of a Vice President who must be facing accountability. And as I have said in my opening statement, higit at lampas ito sa sinumang opisyal," she said.
["Well, this should be the story of a Vice President who must be facing accountability. And as I have said in my opening statement, this goes above and beyond any official."]
Asked about Duterte's decision not to regularly appear before the impeachment court, Luistro said it remains the Vice President's choice, but added that, "It is important to show to the Filipino people that you are willing to undergo the process of accountability. And this impeachment process is part of the accountability mechanism."
Confidential funds, SALN allegations
One of the key articles of impeachment involves the alleged misuse of P612 million in confidential funds.
When asked why Duterte is being singled out when other government agencies also receive confidential funds, Luistro said all public funds are subject to audit.
"There's no such thing as exemption from auditing. This is part of public funds and basta public funds, subject siya sa audit," she said.
["There's no such thing as an exemption from auditing. This is part of public funds, and as long as it involves public funds, it is subject to audit."]
She added that the impeachment stemmed from alleged irregularities that surfaced during budget hearings and later legislative inquiries.
On the defense's claim that the Office of the Vice President received favorable findings from the Commission on Audit (COA), Luistro said this only refers to documentary compliance.
Luistro also addressed allegations involving Duterte's SALN, saying public officials are expected to explain wealth that appears disproportionate to their lawful income, although she declined to discuss the vice president's specific declaration while the trial is ongoing.
Defense explains Duterte's moves
Vice presidential spokesperson and defense lawyer Atty. Michael Poa said Duterte's visit to the Senate was simply to personally thank the defense team.
Poa further denied that the visit was intended as a political strategy, saying the meeting was held at the Senate because the lawyers already had to be there for the afternoon hearing.
He also explained why Duterte made only a brief statement to the media.
"As lawyer, we have to caution here on speaking on the merits. Hindi kami puwedeng mag-discuss o ipahayag ‘yung aming merits ng aming mga kaso in public, so we have to be very mindful and very cautious of that," he said.
["As lawyers, we have to exercise caution here when speaking on the merits. We are not allowed to discuss or express the merits of our cases in public, so we have to be very mindful and very cautious of that.”]
Addressing criticism over Duterte's "bloodbath and bludgeoning" remark, Poa said it referred to the Vice President herself becoming the target of the impeachment proceedings.
"When all she meant, when she said bloodbath was that it would be her blood spilled, kasi siya ‘yung kumbaga siya yung iku-crucify, kasi siya ‘yung nagiging subject ng impeachment na ito at alam naman natin lahat ng mga hindi magagandang alegasyon ay ibabato laban sa kanya," he said.
["When all she meant when she said bloodbath was that it would be her blood spilled, because she is the one who, in a manner of speaking, will be crucified. She is the one becoming the subject of this impeachment, and we all know that all sorts of nasty allegations will be hurled against her."]
Proper venue is the impeachment court
Poa rejected claims that Duterte failed to answer the allegations before the impeachment complaints were filed.
"Hindi po totoo ‘yan, ang confidential funds [were] answered in the proper forum which was COA. Sa OVP, as we all know, there's an ongoing audit there and there was a notice of disallowance. So we're still answering that to this very day," he said.
["That is not true. The confidential funds were answered for in the proper forum, which was the Commission on Audit (COA). As for the Office of the Vice President (OVP), as we all know, there is an ongoing audit there and a notice of disallowance was issued. So we are still answering that to this very day."]
On the allegation involving Duterte's remarks against President Marcos, the First Lady, and Romualdez, Poa said the defense would respond during the trial.
"Of course I cannot disclose our arguments on the merits of the case but basically kailangan mapakita sa tao 'yung buong context na nangyari," he said.
["Of course, I cannot disclose our arguments on the merits of the case, but basically, we need to show the public the full context of what happened."]
Poa also emphasized that the burden of proving the allegations rests with the prosecution.
"Pagdating sa mga alegasyon na ito, siyempre kung sinong nagsasabing may ginawa kang mali, siya talaga dapat ang magpatunay or else, we'll live in society where anyone and everyone can just say, 'Uy, nagnakaw ka' without any evidence," he said.
["When it comes to these allegations, naturally, whoever claims you did something wrong is the one who should actually prove it. Otherwise, we will live in a society where anyone and everyone can just say, 'Hey, you stole something,' without any evidence.'"]
He added that the defense is confident it can answer every allegation presented during the proceedings.
Resignation, accountability
Asked whether Duterte could resign while the trial is ongoing, Poa said it has not been discussed and that the vice president remains committed to the millions who voted for her.
"We've never spoken about it, the Vice President feels strongly about the 32 million people who voted for her, and she's not about to turn her back on these people," he said.
For her part, Luistro said that even if Duterte resigned, the impeachment court could still determine whether the constitutional penalty of perpetual disqualification from public office should apply. —JCB, GMA News