THE House prosecution on Monday maintained that evidence, not political surveys, should determine the outcome of Vice President Sara Z. Duterte’s impeachment trial, expressing confidence in its case despite her strong showing in a recent presidential preference poll.
House impeachment team adviser and spokesperson Ace Barbers and prosecutor Bicol Saro Party-list Rep. Terry Ridon said the prosecution’s responsibility was to establish the facts and prove its allegations against Duterte.
“Ang ebidensya ang dapat pong magsalita. Ang ebidensya ang dapat maging basehan ng magiging desisyon ng ating mga hukom,” Barbers said at a post-trial press briefing.
“Sa aming panig, sa prosecution team, ay naniniwala kami at kumpiyansa kami na matibay, mabigat at kapani-paniwala ang aming ebidensya,” he added.
Ridon likewise emphasized that the prosecution’s priority was to present evidence and establish the truth, regardless of political surveys.
Both were responding to questions about a Pulse Asia survey showing Duterte at 50 percent in presidential preference, ahead of former Vice President Leni Robredo.
Barbers stressed that the survey should have no bearing on the senator-judges’ decision.
“’Yung 1,500 respondents will not dictate the result of the impeachment trial,” he said.
Ridon said the prosecution remained committed to pursuing accountability over allegations of unexplained wealth, threats and misuse of confidential funds.
He cautioned against linking presidential preference ratings to the impeachment proceedings, noting that earlier surveys had also shown public support for impeachment.
“So mahirap pong magkaroon ng causation dito po sa kaganapan sa impeachment trial and proceedings doon po sa results ng survey sa pagka-pangulo,” Ridon said.
He underscored that elections and impeachment proceedings are separate processes, with voters deciding electoral contests and senator-judges weighing the evidence presented in court.
“Sa dulo’t dulo ho, election pa rin naman ho ang magpapasya, hindi po mga surveys,” he said.
The prosecution completed its presentation of evidence under Article II on Monday, with forensic accounting expert Alexander Cabrera concluding his testimony before the Senate impeachment court.
metrosundaily
