Lawmakers slam VP’s dismissal plea

PARTY-LIST Rep. Renee Louise M. Co on Tuesday insisted that Vice-President (VP) Sara Duterte-Carpio continues to avoid the accountability process related to impeachment complaints filed against her.

In a statement, Ms. Co said that instead of addressing the allegations, Ms. Duterte is allegedly using technicalities and bureaucratic issues to stall the trial.

“First of all, VP Sara has not been tried in the House. Just as there is a difference between appearing before a prosecutor and a court, a trial is different from a probable cause hearing,” she said in the statement in Filipino.

“The evidence cannot simply be set aside without being examined.”

According to Ms. Co, Ms. Duterte should answer the evidence presented against her instead of demanding that the case be dismissed immediately.

“The people want and deserve accountability. They want this hearing to continue and know if the allegations are true,” she said in mixed English and Filipino.

The lawmaker also called on the public to remain vigilant as the impeachment process continues.

Party-list Rep. Leila Norma M. de Lima also said that Ms. Duterte’s answer to the impeachment complaint reflects an effort to avoid undergoing a Senate trial.

In a statement posted over X on Monday, Ms. de Lima criticized the move of the Vice-President to seek the dismissal of the impeachment case, saying it mirrors her alleged refusal to participate in House proceedings that examined the complaints against her.

“She should not disregard the Constitution. The Constitution says the Senate shall ‘try and decide,’” Ms. de Lima said, noting that there must be a trial before any judgement.

She also urged Ms. Duterte to face the impeachment proceedings and respond to the allegations against her, saying the public deserves to know the truth and see accountability carried out through the proper constitutional process. — Pexcel John Bacon