IF convicted by the impeachment court, VP Duterte can be charged in courts to return the alleged misused public funds
IMPEACHED Vice President Sara Duterte may still be held liable for the return of the alleged misused public funds even if the impeachment court can only impose removal from office and disqualification from holding public office.
Asked by the media during the daily press briefing at the House, Manila Rep. Joel Chua – a member of the House prosecution panel – explained that while the impeachment court’s authority is limited to these two penalties, a conviction would open the door for criminal and administrative cases to be filed against Duterte in other venues.
“Actually, ang sentensya po kasi sa impeachment complaint dalawa lang. Number one, removal at number two disqualification to hold public office. Now, yan pong order na yan ay pupuwede po yan sa ibang venue, sa korte po. Pagka once na convict na po siya sa impeachment, pupuwede naman pong kasuhan sa Ombudsman ang ating vice president dito po sa mga kasong ito,” Chua, chairman of the House Committee on Good Government, replied to the query.
House Deputy Majority Leader Paolo Ortega V of La Union echoed this, affirming that further legal action could follow a conviction.
“Ah, nasagot na po ni Cong. Joel. Ganun po talaga ‘yung track nuon,” Ortega said.
Ortega, however, said that predicting the outcome of these proceedings remains uncertain.
“So, ang sa akin naman po, wala eh waiting game eh. Mapre-predict ba ‘yung future? Malabo na kasi ‘yung crystal ball ko na ginamit ko nung Quad Comm eh, kaya kailangan na siguro ng bagong crystal ball para dito,” he quipped.
Chua reiterated that the Constitution is clear on the two possible penalties that the impeachment court can impose.
“Sa atin po kasing Saligang Batas, dalawa lang ang magiging desisyon ng impeachment court,” he said.
Meanwhile, Chua also addressed the ongoing case against Duterte involving Mary Grace Piattos, a key issue in the impeachment complaint. He assured that the prosecution has strong evidence, including official documents.
“Solid ‘yung evidence natin. In fact, mayroon na rin tayong mga documentary evidence like ‘yung PSA report, so lahat naman ‘yan ay intact,” Chua stated.
He cautioned, however, that delays in the trial could pose risks to the integrity of the evidence and the security of witnesses.
“But at the end of the day, siyempre habang tumatagal ‘yan, hindi natin malalaman at hindi natin masisiguro na walang mga pagbabago sa mga ‘yan,” he warned.
Chua emphasized the psychological toll that prolonged proceedings could have on key witnesses.
“Kaya nga lalong lalo na sa mga witness namin, siyempre habang tumatagal, lalong humahaba yung anxiety, ‘yung fear,” he said.
He reiterated the need for the impeachment trial to proceed without further delay.
“Kaya kami, hangga’t maaari, mas maganda masimulan na, nang sa ganun matapos na rin ‘yung anxiety, at ‘yung fear at uncertainty ng mga testigo namin,” he added.
