Former Chief Presidential Legal Counsel and former presidential spokesperson Atty. Salvador Panelo dismissed claims that the House prosecution panel gained the upper hand during the first three days of the impeachment trial against Vice President Sara Duterte.
Reacting to the prosecution’s performance, Panelo criticized the presentation of the first witness, National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) senior agent John Mark Calilung, saying his testimony failed to strengthen the case against Duterte.
“Susmaryosep. Unang-una nga, yung testigo nila useless. Bakit mo i-authenticate ang isang bagay na hindi naman kinukwestyon?” Panelo said during an interview with DZRH's Damdaming Bayan.
Panelo also questioned the quality of Calilung’s investigation, claiming that the process was insufficient and lacked depth.
“Nagkalat siya doon sa imbestigasyon… mababaw ang imbestigasyon,” he said.
The prosecution panel presented Calilung as its first witness during the opening proceedings of the Senate impeachment trial, particularly in connection with Article IV of the impeachment complaint, which accuses Duterte of issuing grave threats against President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., First Lady Liza Marcos, and former House Speaker Martin Romualdez.
Panelo maintained that Duterte’s remarks did not constitute a grave threat, arguing that they were "conditional" and were instead meant to alert the public about her alleged concerns for her safety.
He also argued that Duterte was merely informing the public about the alleged danger she faced and expressing what she believed could happen if she were harmed.
“Nagsusumbong siya sa bayan na ang kanyang buhay ay nanganganib at kung siya ay patayin ay kung maaari lang ang sinabi niya sa kanyang kababayan, in effect: Ipaghiganti ninyo ako, bigyan ninyo ako ng katarungan. Ito pong tatlong ito ang sa aking pananaw ang magiging dahilan ng aking pagkamatay. Anong masama doon? Nagsusumbong lang siya sa bayan,” Panelo said.
The statement came as the Senate impeachment court opened deliberations on Article IV of the impeachment complaint against Duterte, which accuses her of issuing grave threats against the President, the First Lady, and Romualdez. The House prosecution panel presented its first witness, National Bureau of Investigation senior agent John Mark Calilung.
Panelo reiterated his previous position after a video circulated showing Duterte’s remarks allegedly referring to the killing of Marcos, Liza Marcos, and Romualdez. He maintained that the statement did not constitute a grave threat because it was conditional.
He also cited the opinion of the late senator and former chief presidential legal counsel Juan Ponce Enrile, who had previously said that Duterte’s statement did not amount to a threat.
“Mismong abogado na ng gobyerno ang nagsasabing walang threat, bakit nila pinupursigi ‘yan?” Panelo said.
According to Panelo, the impeachment proceedings were politically motivated and intended to damage Duterte’s reputation and prevent her from holding public office.
“There is only one reason at talagang gusto niyo lang siraan si Inday Sara at madisqualify, i-convict niyo,” he said.
Panelo also claimed that Duterte had reason to believe that she was being placed under surveillance, citing alleged monitoring of her movements and pressure against her family and staff.
“Nakikita niya talaga na nanganganib… Sinusurveillance ka, sinusundan ka, tapos ang pamilya mo tinutugis, pati ‘yung mga staff pinapakulong. Makikita mo talaga na nanganganib ang buhay niya,” he said.
He further questioned the basis of the impeachment complaint, saying the articles of impeachment against Duterte lacked sufficient evidence.
Panelo also criticized the prosecution panel’s decision to focus first on Article IV of the complaint, arguing that evidence had not yet been presented for the earlier articles.
He also questioned the prosecution’s request for Duterte to appear before the Senate impeachment court, saying the move was premature.
