‘Impeachment is not political’
THE impeachment case against Vice President Sara Duterte is not politically motivated but rather a response to serious allegations that remain unanswered, particularly concerning Mary Grace Piattos, whose identity and involvement in the alleged questionable use of the Vice President’s confidential funds remain unclear.
This is according to Deputy Majority Leader Paolo Ortega V of La Union who refuted claims that the impeachment proceedings were driven by political interests, emphasizing that the process stemmed from unresolved questions raised during congressional hearings.
“Yun naman po sa impeachment, nakita naman natin during the Quad Comm, during the budget hearing sa local government. Di pa nga nasasagot si Mary Grace Piattos, sagutin muna nila ‘yun. O, ayan may impeachment na kaya nga umabot sa punto na ganyan kasi ‘di nga masagot ‘yung napakasimpleng tanong. Sino ba si Mary Grace Piattos? Saan napunta ‘yung mga pera na ‘yan? Kaya wag muna kayo mag-fake news,” Ortega said.
Ortega pointed out that rather than addressing these concerns, the Vice President and her allies had resorted to dismissing the impeachment complaint as a mere political stunt, despite the gravity of the accusations.
Meanwhile, lawmakers affirmed that the House of Representatives, particularly the prosecution panel, is making all necessary preparations for the trial in the Senate.
House Assistant Majority Leader Ernix Dionisio of Manila noted that while he and Ortega are not members of the prosecution panel, they are confident in the team’s readiness.
“Actually, we’re not part of the prosecution panel but as far as we know they’re doing their best in preparation for the upcoming trial sa Senate. At the end of the day I’m sure both parties are preparing. So ‘yung impeachment trial kasi sa Senate it’s a good opportunity na marinig ‘yung dalawang panig. So I think it’s the most democratic process we can go for. That’s why both parties should really be prepared and I think they’re doing that,” Dionisio said.
Ortega added that the House prosecution team has been proactive in engaging the public about the case.
“At saka the prosecutors have been granting interviews naman with the different radio stations, sa social media, sa mga forums. So I guess on our part, ‘yung mga Young Guns na nandito sa harap ngayon. So ‘yung trabaho po natin to keep the public informed at saka yung mga different programs din namin aside from the political situations, meron din kaming updates, meron din kaming mga local na programs. Ganun pa rin naman po ‘yung, on our side, on our end,” Ortega said.
House Assistant Majority Leader Zia Alonto Adiong of Lanao del Sur provided further insights into the legal strategies being prepared by the prosecution panel.
“I think ‘yung sa prosecution team by the time that the House elected them as member of the prosecution team they already had initial meetings with ‘yung possible and potential legal assistance na makukuha from other law firms. I think that’s one of the things they also are trying to navigate on how they can improve, how well they would present their evidences once the impeachment court convenes,” Adiong stated.
He said the prosecution team is simply awaiting the Senate’s decision on when to convene the impeachment court.
“So sa ngayon, they’re still waiting for the actual timeline when the Senate will actually convert itself into an impeachment court. But itong mga cases, articles of impeachment, I think sa ngayon they have already assigned, but I guess the proper is to ask the members of the prosecution team,” Adiong said.
“Pero ang alam ko they have already somehow assigned individual prosecutor to the seven impeachment articles para ‘yun ‘yung mga division of labor nila kung paano nila i-approach ang pagpipresenta ng ebidensya sa impeachment court,” he explained.
