Vice President Sara Duterte’s lawyer, Atty. Michael Poa, told reporters during a Monday press briefing that Duterte’s response questions the Constitutional “infirmities” and flaws in proceedings concerning the impeachment case.
“Basically, the defenses of the vice president, as well as of course, ‘yung nakikita nating Constitutional infirmities, procedural defects. And, what we feel na substantively deficient ‘yung mga accusations, laban sa ating bise presidente,” Poa said.
The statement follows the official filing of Duterte’s response to the charges lodged against her before the Senate impeachment court.
“We just wanted to officially state that the vice president, through counsel, has filed her answer just a few minutes ago before the Senate sitting as an impeachment court. Basically, this is without prejudice, of course, to the pending Supreme Court petition that we filed,” Poa said on Monday afternoon.
Moreover, the lawyer told the press that he cannot entertain interviews prior to the impeachment pre-trial, in line with the Constitution’s stipulations, although he assured that he will be accommodating questions as the case progresses.
“Sa ngayon po, humihingi rin ako ng paumanhin sa inyo, sa mga networks, lalo na, hindi na muna kami magpapaunlak ng mga interviews until such time as the prior trial begins, kasi we also want to respect the Senate, and, according to the impeachment rules of the Senate—in fact, under paragraph 18—pinagbabawalan po ang mga parties to discuss ‘yung merits ng kaso publicly,” he said.
“From day to day, magpapaunlak naman kami ng interview para po maintindihan ng ating mga kababayan kung ano ‘yung mga nagaganap sa bawat araw-araw na trial,” he added.
Earlier, Poa, along with other members of Vice President Duterte’s defense team, arrived at the Senate building in Pasay City, carrying five suitcases containing her response.
In a later statement, Duterte’s legal counsel said that matters contained within the response should be addressed during the trial, and not through publicity.
“At this stage, we believe it is best that the matters raised in the Answer be addressed before the Impeachment Court rather than through publicity,” they wrote.
