Several lawmakers from the House of Representatives criticized Vice President Sara Duterte after her legal team asked the Senate impeachment court to dismiss the articles of impeachment filed against her, even as she signaled readiness to appear ‘if necessary’ during the trial proceedings.

Earlier, the Vice President’s lawyer confirmed that a motion has been filed seeking the dismissal of the impeachment case, which is currently pending before the Senate acting as an impeachment court.

The development came before formal trial proceedings have begun, prompting strong reactions from members of the House prosecution panel and allied lawmakers.

Akbayan Party-list Rep. Perci Cendaña criticized the move, saying it contradicts earlier statements that the Vice President would face the allegations in the Senate.

He said the filing of a motion to dismiss before trial shows that the public was “misled” by assurances that she would fully respond during the impeachment proceedings, noting that she has not responded to the writ of summons issued by the Senate impeachment court.

“Confirmed! Binobola lang ng kampo ni VP Sara ang taumbayan noong sinabi nilang sa Senado na sila sasagot. Pareho lang sila ni Bato, takot harapin ang pananagutan. Palibhasa takot mabuko,“ he said.

House prosecutor and Bicol Saro Party-list Rep.Terry Ridon said the defense submission largely repeated earlier responses made during House proceedings and did not directly address key allegations, including reported threats against President Ferdinand “Bongbong“ Marcos, First Lady Liza Araneta Marcos, and former House Speaker Martin Romualdez.

Ridon said the defense arguments amounted to a reiteration of what he described as previous “non-answers” during earlier committee hearings.

Meanwhile, House prosecutor and Akbayan Party-list Rep. Chel Diokno questioned the timing of the motion, asking why dismissal is being sought before a full trial.

“Simple lang ang tanong: Kung walang itinatago, bakit ayaw ng trial?” Diokno said, citing the Constitution, which grants the Senate the sole power to try impeachment cases.

He emphasized that the process requires presentation and examination of evidence before judgment is made.

“Ibig sabihin, hindi puwedeng hatol muna bago trial. Kung nais malaman ang katotohanan, dapat munang marinig ang mga testigo at masuri ang lahat ng ebidensya sa isang bukas at patas na pagdinig,” the solon said.

“Sundin ang Konstitusyon. Sundin ang due process. Walang special treatment sa mata ng batas,” Diokno added.

Mamamayang Liberal (ML) Party-list Rep. Leila de Lima also criticized the motion, saying it reflects an attempt to avoid trial proceedings.

“Sila itong hindi nagpakita at nagpaliwanag sa mga pagdinig sa Kamara, at ngayon naman ay pinadi-dismiss nila sa Senado ang impeachment case nang hindi pa man lang napakikinggan ang mga testigo at mga ebidensya,” de Lima said.

“Allergic o takot lang ba talaga siyang humarap sa proseso ng pananagutan?” she added.

House members emphasized that the Constitution requires impeachment complaints to undergo trial and final judgment in the Senate, and not be resolved through early dismissal without full proceedings.

“Huwag niyang balewalain ang Konstitusyon. The Constitution says the Senate shall “try and decide”. Trial muna bago hatol. Paglilitis, hindi dismiss-dismiss.“

“Once and for all, harapin niya ang impeachment at sagutin ang mabibigat na paratang. Huwag niyang ipagkait sa taumbayan ang katotohanan at pananagutan,” she emphasized.

Earlier, House lead prosecutor Rep. Gerville Luistro said the prosecution team will “oppose“ any attempt to dismiss the case, stressing that impeachment proceedings must proceed to trial so that evidence can be examined.