Lead House impeachment prosecutor Rep. Gerville “Jinky Bitrics” Luistro of Batangas on Tuesday said the possible resignation of Vice President Sara Z. Duterte should not automatically stop the impeachment trial.

Speaking during the press conference of the 11-member House prosecution panel at the House of Representatives, Luistro said the Senate impeachment court must still determine whether the penalty of perpetual disqualification from public office should be imposed.

“This is my opinion, not the opinion of the 11 prosecutors,” Luistro said. “We have to remember that there are two principal penalties in case the respondent in an impeachment case is convicted. These two principal penalties are removal and perpetual disqualification.”

“While resignation from office will render moot and academic the penalty of removal, it is my position that we need to continue the trial for the senator-judges to be able to determine whether or not they will impose as well the penalty of perpetual disqualification.”
Akbayan Party-list Rep. Chel Diokno, also a member of the prosecution panel, agreed with Luistro’s position and described it as a valid legal observation.

“It’s, of course, a very valid observation made by our chair,” Diokno said.

Mamamayang Liberal Party-list Rep. Leila de Lima, meanwhile, underscored that the impeachment proceedings also serve as due process for Duterte herself, giving her the opportunity to formally answer the allegations raised against her.

“Alalahanin po natin (Be reminded) that this is also due process for VP Sara. So pagkakataon niya ito (this is her opportunity). It’s time for her to face and answer the accusations against her,” de Lima said.

“Kung walang kasalanan, dapat walang iniiwasan o dapat walang iwasan. Wala rin dapat pagtakpan at hindi dapat ito hinaharang (if one is innocent, there should be no avoiding or nothing to avoid. There should also be nothing to cover up or it should not be blocked).”

De Lima also noted reports that Duterte’s legal team intends to respond to the Senate impeachment summons by filing the appropriate answer.

The Senate, sitting as an impeachment court, ordered the issuance of a writ of summons for Duterte to file their answer to the articles of impeachment.

“So well, I guess I heard from the news, the counsels of VP Sara will be responding to the summons by filing the appropriate answer. So pagkakataon niya ito (this is her opportunity). This is due process for her,” she said.

The House prosecution panel held the press conference to formally reveal the assignment of each prosecutor for each of the four articles of impeachment against Duterte.

The articles of impeachment accuse the vice president of misusing PHP612.5 million in confidential funds; failing to properly disclose assets and bank transactions in her Statements of Assets, Liabilities and Net Worth (SALNs); committing alleged bribery during her tenure as Education secretary; and making grave threats against President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos, and former Speaker Martin Romualdez.

The 11-member prosecution panel expressed confidence in presenting witnesses and evidence before the Senate impeachment court and believes that, once the full truth is out, they can secure a conviction. (PNA)