The House of Representatives' prosecution panel earned an A+ performance rating from Deputy Speaker Paolo Ortega V following the first three days of the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte.
During a press conference on Thursday, July 9, Ortega said the prosecution team demonstrated thorough preparation during the proceedings, noting that the defense failed to undermine the evidence presented against the Vice President.
"Hindi nabasag yung mga inilatag ng prosecution... Talagang A+ sila. Para blood pa rin," Ortega said.
He added that the prosecutors' presentation reflected their readiness and ability to defend the evidence submitted before the impeachment court.
When asked to rate the defense team's performance, Ortega said he would give Duterte's legal team a B+.
"Siguro masyado pang maaga pero baka B+ na lang, B as in... blood, pero B positive pa rin," he said.
Ortega also criticized what he described as the repeated use of "bloody" remarks and threatening statements from Duterte's camp, saying such comments should not be taken lightly.
"Parang marami silang pananakot, mga threats na ganun. Kaya nga sabi ko hindi biro 'yang ganyan, it's a grave crime kahit anong threat pa 'yan," he said.
He rejected the defense team's assertion that Duterte's alleged remarks against President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos, and former House Speaker Martin Romualdez were merely "conditional threats," arguing that such a defense is often used as an excuse by individuals accused of making grave threats.
"'Yung mga conditional threat naman kasi palusot lang 'yan ng mga nag-grave threats... 'Yung mga ganyang bagay hindi maliit na bagay, hindi mo na lang pinapansin... That's a threat to the highest official of the land," Ortega said.
The House leader also claimed it was the first time that a sitting Philippine President had allegedly been threatened by a sitting Vice President.
The first week of the impeachment trial centered on the testimony of National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) Senior Agent John Mark Calilung.
Calilung testified on the authenticity of the Zoom press conference in which Duterte allegedly made threats against the president, the first lady, and Romualdez.
