HOUSE impeachment adviser and spokesperson Ace Barbers on Wednesday likened Vice President Sara Z. Duterte’s defense to a basketball team trying to overcome a large deficit with its star player injured, as her impeachment trial prepares to resume on November 9.
Barbers made the comparison when asked whether the prosecution had built a lead that would be difficult for Duterte’s lawyers to overcome.
“Yes, tama, no. May oras pa naman. Meron pang dalawang naiwang quarters ‘ika nga. Nasa first half pa lang tayo, no?” Barbers said at a press briefing.
“‘Yung second half, eh ang problema na-injure ‘yung star player eh. So nung na-injure ‘yung star player, eh ang tanong, sino ngayon ang gagawa para humabol dun sa distansya, no?” he added.
Barbers did not identify the “star player” in his analogy.
He acknowledged that the defense still had an opportunity to present evidence and challenge the prosecution’s case.
“Following that analogy, bilog nga ang bola,” he said.
Barbers also stressed that the prosecution would not prejudge the decision of the Senate impeachment court.
“Ayaw namin pangunahan o i-preempt ang magiging posibleng desisyon ng ating mga senator-judges,” he said.
He said the senator-judges must weigh the defense’s evidence against the financial and corporate documents presented by the prosecution.
“If their evidence will prove to be more valuable or weightier than the ones presented by the prosecution, aba, siyempre magiging basehan nila ito ng kanilang mga desisyon,” he said.
Barbers nevertheless maintained that the prosecution had presented substantial documentary evidence that would be difficult to dispute.
The prosecution has completed its presentation under Article II, the remaining impeachment charge involving alleged unexplained wealth.
Duterte’s lawyers are scheduled to begin presenting their evidence Nov. 9.
metrosundaily
