Palace on VP Sara impeachment answer: No outright denial, cites ‘technicalities’

MANILA, Philippines — Malacañang urged Vice President Sara Duterte to directly address the allegations against her instead of using “mere technicalities” as a defense.

The Palace responded to Duterte’s answer to the Articles of Impeachment during a press briefing on Tuesday, June 2, after being asked about the vice president’s claim that “none of the allegations” made against her were sufficiently established.

“Lumalabas dito sa kanyang naging tugon na hindi niya po dinenay, walang outright denial ng mga akusasyon sa kanya,” Palace spokesperson Usec. Claire Castro said.

(It appears in her answer that she did not deny [the allegations], there was no outright denial of the accusations against her.)

Castro added that the contents of the vice president’s answer merely repeated the same arguments she raised during the House Committee on Justice hearings.

The Palace spokesperson also said it would be better if Duterte directly explained herself to the public and cleared her name instead of relying on mere technicalities as a defense.

“Mas maganda po sana na mas maipaliwanag niya sa taumbayan itong mga inaakusa sa kanya rather than using mere technicalities to have the complaint be dismissed,” Castro added.

(It would be better if she explains to the public the accusations made against her rather than using mere technicalities to have the complaint dismissed.)

Castro added that it is up to the senator-judges to decide how to proceed with the impeachment case.

Meanwhile, Duterte released a video statement on Tuesday afternoon, June 2, addressing the country’s current political situation, where she described the impeachment case as “politically motivated.”

“The current state of our nation reveals three disturbing realities: first, the effort to divert attention from legitimate questions surrounding the flood control controversy; second, the willingness to disregard constitutional safeguards in pursuit of a politically motivated impeachment; and third, the relentless pursuit of greater political power under the guise of Charter Change,” she said.

The vice president’s camp is seeking the dismissal of the impeachment case after submitting her answer to the Senate on Monday, June 1. Her lead counsel, lawyer Michael Poa, said she is prepared to appear personally and face the impeachment “if necessary.”