A HOUSE trial spokesperson on Friday likened the pre-impeachment trial brief submitted by the defense lawyers of impeached Vice President Sara Duterte to an empty can.
In a radio interview over Brigada, Lanao del Sur Rep. Zia Alonto Adiong said the defense panel’s pleading did not answer the impeachment charges leveled by the House prosecution against the vice president.
“Walang laman, alam mo naman ang lata pag walang laman, malakas ang tunog. Kasi yung pre-trial brief na sinubmit ng defense, wala siyang nai-offer na sagot doon sa mga tanong,” he said.
He said the defense did not offer answers to the prosecution’s allegations that the vice president had allegedly misused P612.5 million in confidential and intelligence funds and her alleged unexplained wealth.
“So these are the primary questions na gusto natin, gusto ng taong bayan masagot. Pero doon sa pre-trial, ang nakita natin walang in-offer, sinupply man lang na evidence or arguments or answers para pabulaanan o explain kung paano nagamit itong mga confidential funds, bakit hindi nagkakatugma ‘yung kanyang SALN at saka ‘yung pumapasok na income niya,” he added.
Alonto Adiong pointed out that the defense team’s pre-trial submission reiterated its questions on the constitutionality of the House impeachment proceedings.
“The usual na narrative nila na itong ginagawa, ‘yung procedure from the very start, mini-trial daw, yung nangyari sa confirmation hearings tapos yung question of yung jurisdiction ng committee on justice. We are already past that stage. In fact, the Senate ay nag-convene na as an impeachment court,” he stressed.
He said the vice president has been saying she was ready and willing to answer the impeachment charges at the proper forum, which is the Senate impeachment court.
“Not only willing but ready na sila to answer at the proper forum. Ito na yung proper forum. Kaso ang binigay pa nila is yung usual na complaints nila, usual na objection nila, which is more on the procedural and question of constitutionality. So kaya sinasabi natin mahaba pero walang laman,” Alonto Adiong said.
Alonto Adiong said the defense should have responded to the impeachment charges and submitted its own list of evidence and witnesses.
