HOUSE Deputy Majority Leader Lorenz Defensor, a key member of the House prosecution panel, has rejected Vice President Sara Duterte’s description of the impending impeachment trial as a “bloodbath,” saying the proceeding is not about spectacle or animosity, but about truth and accountability.
In a radio interview on Sunday over dzBB, Defensor said both sides—the prosecution and the defense—should be fully prepared to present their case before the Senate, which will convene as an impeachment court once the 20th Congress opens.
This, Defensor said, will make it easier for the public to accept the outcome, whether it results in Duterte’s conviction or acquittal.
“Maganda sigurong sabihin natin na ‘winner takes it all’ ang impeachment trial na ito. Hindi kailangan maging bloodbath. Gusto natin malinaw lang ang pagkakalatag ng ebidensya ng prosecution at ng defense teams,” Defensor said.
Defensor added: “Gusto ko makita na handa si Vice President para sakaling ma-acquit siya… madaling tanggapin ng taumbayan, madaling tanggapin ng 215 members of Congress who signed the impeachment complaint. At sana, ‘wag pakialaman ng ating Korte Suprema ang impeachment. This is a purely political process,” Defensor pointed out.
The House of Representatives, voting overwhelmingly before adjourning in February, approved the Articles of Impeachment against Duterte.
The complaint accuses her of culpable violation of the Constitution and betrayal of public trust, citing her alleged misuse of confidential funds under the Office of the Vice President during her concurrent tenure as Education Secretary, her defiance of congressional oversight, and her failure to uphold civilian supremacy over the police and military.
Defensor pointed out that the impeachment of a high-ranking official is not a judicial proceeding, but a political one, governed by the Constitution and entrusted solely to the legislative branch.
“It is a political question na dapat sagutin ng mga nahalal na senador at mga kongresista, at ‘di dapat pakialaman ng Korte Suprema,” Defensor stressed.
“Kung wala namang grave abuse of discretion on the part of the House or the Senate, I am confident na our Supreme Court will respect the separation of powers,” Defensor added.
The House has already transmitted the Articles of Impeachment to the Senate, and Defensor said there is no more room for a motion to dismiss or a withdrawal of the case.
“Kapag nai-transmit na ng House ang Articles of Impeachment sa Senado, nakalagay sa ating Konstitusyon that the trial shall proceed forthwith. Hindi pwedeng mag-motion to dismiss sa isang impeachment complaint dahil ito ay isang national inquest,” Defensor explained.
Defensor also addressed speculation that some lawmakers might try to withdraw support for the complaint or file a motion to pull it out.
He dismissed such scenarios as unlikely and damaging to the credibility of the impeachment process.
“Maaaring may magsubok niyan, pero hindi ko nakikitang papayagan pa ‘yan ng Kongreso, lalo na ng Senado. Hindi rin maganda ‘yon para kayong nagbalimbing sa sarili ninyong impeachment complaint,” he said.
Asked about Duterte’s assertion that the prosecution has no solid evidence against her, Defensor said the House panel is confident in the strength of its case.
“Confident kami, kaya sinasabi ko na instead of a bloodbath, gusto namin winner takes all,” Defensor reiterated.
Defensor explained that impeachment trials do not follow the strict evidentiary standards of criminal or civil cases. Instead, senator-judges must rely on their conscience and judgment in weighing the evidence presented.
As for the pending petition filed by Duterte’s camp before the Supreme Court to stop the trial, Defensor maintained that the high tribunal should steer clear of the impeachment process unless there is a clear abuse of discretion by Congress.
“Abangan natin kung sa palagay ng Supreme Court ay may grave abuse of discretion… pero I am confident na ang ating Korte Suprema will respect the separation of powers,” he reiterated.
Ultimately, Defensor said, proceeding with the impeachment trial is the only way to bring closure to the controversy.
“Mas magandang matuloy na ito, matapos, at may closure ang Pilipinas. Kung sasabihin ng senator-judges natin na walang kasalanan ang Vice President, napakadaling tanggapin ‘yun ng mga miyembro ng Kongreso at katunggali niya. Pero kung may pananagutan siya, dapat ring tanggapin ang desisyon,” Defensor said.
“Winner takes all tayo sa impeachment trial na ito para mas madaling tanggapin ang magiging resulta,” Defensor stressed. (
