Records outweigh vloggers, rhetoric in VP Sara impeachment — ex-IBP chief

MANILA, Philippines — Official government records submitted in impeachment proceedings carry greater weight than statements made outside the process, particularly those not given under oath, a former president of the Integrated Bar of the Philippines said.

In a radio interview, legal expert Domingo Cayosa said the current debate has been shaped in part by commentary from parties who have not formally participated in the hearings.

Vice President Sara Duterte herself has refused to participate in the hearings on the complaints against her.

“Sa halip, ang sumasagot ay iyong mga vloggers nila, mga abogado nila, o sila rin mismo, doon sa labas, na hindi naman sila nanunumpa doon,” Cayosa said on Radyo Pilipinas Tuesday, April 28. (Instead, those responding are vloggers, their lawyers, or they themselves, outside [the proceedings], and not under oath.)

Cayosa also noted that the respondent’s absence from the hearings has left the proceedings without direct rebuttal under oath.

“Mas mabuti sana… para patas ang laban. Ang problema, iyong nasasakdal hindi nagpapakita,” he said. (It might have been better [for her to be present]... so the fight is fair. Problem is, it's the accused who's not showing up.)

He said this limits the ability of both sides to confront evidence directly within the constitutional process.

The lawyer contrasted this with witnesses and officials who have testified before the House Committee on Justice.

“Lahat iyan nanumpa under oath… Kapag nagsinungaling sila, maaari silang makulong for perjury,” Cayosa said, referring to complainants, witnesses, and officials from agencies such as the Anti-Money Laundering Council, Bureau of Internal Revenue, National Bureau of Investigation, Commission on Audit and the Office of the Ombudsman.

Cayosa said statements made outside formal proceedings lack the same level of accountability.

“Sa media, sa vloggers… hindi iyan nakakatulong. Hindi patas, hindi fair,” he said. (In the media, among vloggers... those do not help. It's not balanced, it's not fair.)

He added that those responding to allegations should do so within the formal process and under oath, where statements carry legal consequences.

High credibility of records

Documents submitted by government agencies are backed by institutional processes and verification, Cayosa noted.

“Lumabas na ang mga official documents at official reports ng mga ahensya ng gobyerno. Mabigat iyan,” he said. (Official documents and reports have been barred from government agencies. Those are weighty.)

“Hindi puwedeng laway lang ang kapital, kasi hindi na tao ang nagsasalita. Institusyon na ng gobyerno ang nagsasalita,” he added. (It can't be that saliva is the only capital, because it's not just human beings. Now, it's government institutions talking.)

He cited reports from agencies as examples of records produced through formal processes.

“Mataas ang uri ng credibility niyan… maraming kawani at opisyal ng gobyerno ang nagtrabaho para siguraduhing tama,” he said. (The level of credibility is high... there are many state officials and officers working to make sure those are correct.)