The House prosecution team on Tuesday rejected claims by Davao City Rep. Paolo “Pulong” Duterte questioning the constitutionality of the impeachment process against Vice President Sara Duterte, insisting their actions complied with the law and established procedures.
During a press conference, prosecutors said Duterte’s criticism stemmed from a misunderstanding of the House’s role in impeachment proceedings, particularly on the gathering of evidence after the Articles of Impeachment had already been transmitted to the Senate.
Rep. Jose Manuel “Chel” Diokno, a member of the prosecution panel, said the House Committee on Justice is only mandated to determine probable cause when an impeachment complaint is filed.
“Noong pumasok yung impeachment complaint sa Committee on Justice, House of Representatives, ang tungkulin ng komite noon ay malaman lang kung merong probable cause,” Diokno said.
“Wala sa trabaho namin na halungkatin lahat ng ebidensya na magkaroon mismo ng trial dahil nasa kamay ng Senado yung pag-coconduct ng trial.”
He emphasized that only portions of evidence are typically presented during the House proceedings, with the complete presentation reserved for the Senate acting as an impeachment court.
“The time to have evidence presented ay dito sa loob ng Senate bilang impeachment court,” he added.
Diokno also denied allegations that the prosecution engaged in a “fishing expedition” or shortcuts in building the case against the vice president.
“Paulit-ulit naming sinasabi na walang ganoong nangyaring fishing expedition, wala ring nangyaring mga shortcut o yung sinasabi nilang trial noong nasa House of Representatives ang kaso,” he said.
Private prosecutor Atty. Benjamin Tolosa Jr. echoed this position, likening the impeachment process to criminal proceedings where authorities first establish probable cause before a case proceeds to trial.
“Before the House of Representatives, determination muna ng probable cause yan. Ganoon din sa criminal case. Before the prosecutor’s office [ay] determination of probable cause,” Tolosa said.
“Dyan hindi pa talaga required o inaasahan na ipapakita na lahat ng ebidensya. Dahil lahat ng ebidensya ay lalabas yan during the trial itself," he added. “Kapag nandoon na sa husgado ang kaso ay magkakaroon na ng full-blown trial.”
The statements came after Duterte, in a Facebook post on Monday, July 20, questioned why the prosecution was only seeking documents and issuing subpoenas after the Articles of Impeachment had already been transmitted to the Senate.
The Senate impeachment court resumes its proceedings today for the 8th day of Duterte’s trial, where NBI Director Melvin Matibag is expected to take the witness stand.
