Manila 6th District Representative Bienvenido Abante Jr. urged Vice President Sara Duterte to personally face the impeachment case against her, saying she should explain the allegations instead of relying on her staff to respond during the proceedings.
Speaking at the House prosecution’s press conference following the 16th day of the impeachment trial on Monday, Abante said Duterte’s absence allows the Office of the Vice President (OVP) to undermine the constitutional mandate of Congress and the Senate impeachment court.
“I think it would be the Vice President [who] should come because she continues to make a mockery of Congress. Mandato namin ito eh. Mandato ng Senado ito. Mandato ng Congress ito,” Abante said.
“Ibig sabihin, the Office of the Vice President can make a mockery of the constitutional mandate of Congress to investigate and to put up an impeachment court,” he added.
Abante said Duterte should personally answer the allegations against her rather than leave her staff to explain her side.
“Dapat, humarap siya. Siya ang mag-explain. Huwag niyang sasabihin 'yan sa mga staff niya. Siya mismo [humarap],” he said.
“Tinatawagan ko ngayon si Vice President, maawa ka naman sa mga staff mo. Ikaw na mismo pumunta dito. Mag-explain ka. Hindi ka pwedeng magtago kung saan-saan,” Abante added.
The lawmaker also questioned why Duterte had previously faced other controversies and hearings but has not appeared before the impeachment court.
“My goodness naman, Vice President. Humarap ka na. Maawa ka sa mga staff mo. At ipaliwanag mo sa taong-bayan kung bakit hindi ka kinakailangan ma-impeach. 'Yan ang panawagan ko,” Abante said.
The House prosecution panel made the appeal after the impeachment court concluded its 16th day of proceedings, which focused on the alleged misuse of confidential funds involving the OVP.
