A LAWYER for the withdrawn impeachment complaint against Vice President Sara Z. Duterte on Saturday said she is “duty-bound” to personally attend the House hearings and answer the allegations against her, stressing that accountability cannot be sidestepped.
Speaking at the Saturday Media Forum at Dapo Restaurant in Quezon City, Atty. Dino de Leon—counsel for the set-aside second impeachment complaint and a member of Tindig Pilipinas—underscored that impeachment is a constitutional mechanism that compels the respondent to explain and submit to scrutiny.
“Duty bound siya [VP Duterte]. Constitutional process ‘to… accountability ito, kailangan mag-explain siya,” De Leon, a prominent public interest and human rights lawyer helping Mamamayang Liberal (ML) Party-list Rep. Leila de Lima, said.
De Leon said the vice president must respect the institutions handling the proceedings, including the House of Representatives, where the impeachment process begins.
“Iyung Constitution po ang sinasabi this is a sacred process at kailangang galangin ni [VP] Sara Duterte ang mga institusyon, including the House of Representatives, including eventually the Senate. At kailangan niyang sagutin sa Saligang Batas at sabi sa Saligang Batas, accountability ito, kailangan mag-explain siya,” De Leon added.
“Well, si VP Sara, again, will have to explain. Ang tandaan po natin ang constitutional provision
on accountability is mag-explain ka. Ang tanong ko po is, bakit ba allergic na allergic si [VP] Sara Duterte na matanong at bakit ba allergic na allergic si [VP] Sara Duterte na sumagot sa mga tanong? [Kapag] natatanong siya, nagagalit siya. Tinatanong siya sa hearings, even within her budget, nagagalit siya. Magto-throw siya ng fit, magta-tantrums doon na parang spoiled brat,” de Leon said.
The House Committee on Justice is set to conduct formal hearings on the impeachment complaints starting this March 25.
Despite this, De Leon expressed doubts that Duterte would personally appear.
“Ang fearless forecast ko hindi siya attend,” he said.
De Leon also raised concerns that even if the vice president shows up, she may not directly address the issues raised against her.
Pero kung siya ay dadalo, palagay ko hindi niya sasagutin ang mga tanong. She will again throw an attitude out there and claim that this is all political,” he said. “So pupusta ako dyan, hindi ‘yan darating pero kung darating siya, hindi niya sasagutin ang mga tanong. Bagkos ililihis na naman at magagalit at sasabihin politika lamang ito.”
De Leon noted that Duterte had already been given the opportunity to respond to the allegations but described her submission as lacking substance.
“After having the opportunity to respond to the allegations against her, we’ve received a non-answer,” he stated.
He said the focus on technicalities instead of directly addressing the accusations undermines the essence of impeachment.
“Ang pinakaimportante dyan accountability, hindi kung ano-anong teknikalidad,” he stressed.
The lawyer also rejected the notion that the impeachment battle will only be decided in the Senate, saying the proceedings in the House are already a critical stage of the process.
“To me even what’s happening… in the committee on justice is very much sacred at doon pa lang parte na po ‘yan ang sinasabi nating battle,” he said.
De Leon asserted that each stage of the impeachment process holds significant importance, particularly in establishing the necessary foundation to hold a high-ranking official accountable.
He also dismissed claims that the impeachment proceedings are a waste of time, emphasizing their role in upholding public accountability.
“Naniwala po ako na never waste of time ang public accountability,” he said.
“Accountability is never a waste of time, especially when we’re talking about the second highest official of the land,” he added.
For De Leon, the issue goes beyond politics and centers on the constitutional duty of public officials to answer serious allegations.
“Ang pinaka-importante… accountability,” de Leon said
