HOUSE Committee on Justice chair Gerville “Jinky Bitrics” Luistro of Batangas said Tuesday Vice President Sara Z. Duterte has the “best opportunity” to answer the allegations against her, stressing that the public is waiting to hear her side as impeachment proceedings move forward.
Luistro, a lawyer, emphasized that for someone asserting innocence, the hearings provide a crucial platform to contest the accusations.
“Kasi ‘di ba, hypothetically if you’re claiming innocence you should take advantage of all opportunities to prove your innocence. And this hearing proper is the best opportunity for her to defend herself from the allegations in the complaint,” Luistro said.
“I think it’s about time na marinig na ng taong -bayan ang kasagutan ng ating Bise Presidente,” Luistro, said, underscoring growing public interest in the issue.
Luistro noted that while appearing before the panel remains the vice president’s choice, the weight of the allegations and the length of time they have been hanging in public discourse make it important for her to respond.
“Well it’s actually her choice whether to come or not, but from the perspective of an ordinary Filipino citizen this questions have been raised since the 19th Congress, I think 2024 pa. Now it is 2026 already, and I believe that a huge number of Filipinos wanted to hear the answer of the Vice President and it is from this light that I am hopeful that the Vice President will be availing of this opportunity to answer all the allegations,” Luistro said.
The Justice panel chair described the accusations as serious, citing alleged misuse of confidential funds, bribery, threats, and unexplained wealth.
“These are serious allegations na in the ordinary set of things you will take advantage of all opportunities para maipagtanggol mo ang sarili mo, especially this concerns the Vice President, the second highest official of the land. It is from this light that I’m hoping that she will be able to come,” Luistro added.
She also warned of the implications if Duterte opts not to participate in the proceedings, saying the move could leave the allegations unchallenged.
“Now to your question pa no kung hindi dumating si VP our respondent will then not be able to present their evidence and their witnesses to counter the allegations of offenses and grounds. And that is why I’ve been saying that this hearing is a significant opportunity for her to challenge the complaint,” Luistro said.
Luistro pointed out that the hearings could even work in the vice president’s favor if she is able to refute the claims.
“As a matter of fact itong opportunity na ito there’s a possibility also that the complaint will be dismissed if she will be able to controvert, to refute, the allegations in the complaint but if she will not avail of this opportunity again the allegations in the complaint will stand and the possibility is, the Justice members might vote in favor of the existence of probable cause,” Luistro said.
“Simple lang ‘yan kung walang nag-question, kung walang nag-challenge, kung walang nag-controvert, siyempre ang magiging consideration of justice members will be the complaint alone,” Luistro added.
Luistro maintained that the ongoing proceedings are meant to give both sides the chance to present their case, but ultimately stressed that the public expects answers from one of the country’s highest officials.
