A spokesman for the prosecution panel in the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Z. Duterte said any political arrangement between embattled Vice President Sara Z. Duterte and President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. cannot sacrifice the search for accountability and the truth behind the allegations against her.⠀
Former Surigao del Norte Rep. Ace Barbers made the statement amid reports that Duterte sought a private meeting with the President to facilitate her resignation in exchange for being allowed to run in the 2028 national elections.
Malacañang earlier said it could not confirm reports that Duterte had sought a private meeting with President Marcos, but stressed that the President remains open to dialogue with anyone.
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“Hindi dapat masakripisyo ang sinasabi nating accountability, transparency at ‘yung katotohanan sa likod nitong mga alegasyon na ito,” Barbers said.
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Online accounts claimed that a possible arrangement could involve Duterte resigning while preserving her right to seek the presidency in 2028.
The prosecution has maintained that the impeachment trial must continue even if the Vice President decides to resign because she is also facing perpetual disqualification from holding public office.
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“I don’t know how it’s going to happen, pero sa aking pananaw, napakaimportanteng malaman ng ating mga kababayan kung ano ba ‘yung nasa likod o katotohanan sa likod nitong usaping ito,” Barbers said.
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Barbers argued that the allegations against the Vice President can no longer simply be dismissed as political because the prosecution has already begun presenting evidence before the Senate sitting as an Impeachment Court.
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“Hindi naman pwedeng itong allegations na ito ay puro haka-haka lamang. Dahil meron naman pong ebidensyang ipinrisenta ang ating prosecution,” he said.
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Barbers also made it clear that he had not received information confirming the supposed meeting between the two highest elected officials.
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“Well, ako, honestly, hindi ko pa naririnig yan,” Barbers said. “Wala akong alam tungkol diyan sa usapin na ‘yan.”
