THE prosecution should present all four impeachment articles against Vice President Sara Duterte rather than cut the trial short after the confidential-funds phase, according to the House panel’s impeachment adviser.⠀
House prosecution panel adviser and spokesperson and former Surigao del Norte Rep. Robert “Ace” Barbers rejected suggestions Monday that prosecutors already have enough evidence to seek a judgment without completing the rest of their case.⠀
“Ako personally, sa tingin ko, mas magandang mailatag lahat yung apat na articles,” Barbers said.⠀
The House-approved impeachment case covers allegations involving the misuse and irregular liquidation of OVP and DepEd confidential funds, unexplained wealth, bribery at DepEd, and Duterte’s alleged threats against President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr., First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos, and former Speaker Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez.⠀
Barbers maintained that completing the presentation would also answer Duterte supporters who continue to portray the proceedings as politically motivated.⠀“Kasi maraming nagsasabi na ito ay isang pamumulitika, which we vehemently, of course, deny,” Barbers said.⠀
“Bakit? May ebidensya eh,” he added.⠀Barbers argued that the prosecution’s case rests on evidence supporting each of the articles rather than rumor or political speculation.⠀“Lahat itong articles na ito, itong apat na inilatag ng ating prosecution panel ay hindi ito haka-haka o hindi ito marites lamang dahil ito ay supportado ng mga ebidensya kagaya ng mga ipinapakita natin ngayon, kagaya ng inilalatag ngayon,” he stressed.⠀
He pointed to the evidence already presented concerning Duterte’s alleged threats as an example of why the full case should be heard.⠀
“Kung natatandaan nyo, yung first article, yung grave threats and inciting to sedition, very clear. Yung paglatag natin ng ebidensya, in fact, hindi dineny ng kabilang panig yung ebidensyang ginamit dito sa article na ito,” Barbers said.⠀Barbers said the confidential-fund portion now before the impeachment court likewise contains documentary evidence that should be considered together with the remaining allegations.⠀
“Dito naman sa kasalukuyang article na tinatalakay natin ngayon, very glaring yung nakikita nating documentary evidence na inilalatag ng prosecution,” he said.⠀“Kasi hindi mabubuo yung litrato pag kulang yung puzzle o kulang yung piece. Kaya dapat para sa akin i-diretso buuin natin yung apat na articles,” Barbers stressed.
metrosundaily
