VICE President Sara Z. Duterte is using appearances before supporters in The Hague to preserve her political base for 2028 while leaving her lawyers to confront the evidence in her impeachment trial.
House impeachment trial spokesperson Zia Alonto Adiong of Lanao del Sur made the assessment after Duterte addressed another “Free Duterte Now” gathering outside the International Criminal Court.
“Una, I think nagra-rally lang siya ng support talaga eh. That’s how we see it,” Alonto Adiong stressed.
Duterte formally announced in February that she would seek the presidency in 2028 and led the July 29 rally in The Hague while her father, former president Rodrigo Duterte, remained in ICC custody.
“I think that’s how she rallies and keeps her support base. Kaya nga nakikita natin na itong ginagawa ng bise presidente ay nagiging kampanya na siya in a way para ma-determine at saka ma-maintain niya ‘yung sinasabi niyang suporta sa kanyang mga nakukuhang mga grupo,” Alonto Adiong explained.
Her appearance abroad coincided with the Senate Impeachment Court’s reception of testimony and documents involving the P612.5 million in confidential funds released to the OVP and DepEd.
“Kaya parati natin sinasabi na mas maganda, halimbawa, na marinig din natin straight from the Vice President itong mga denial na ito. Kung anuman ‘yung mga alegasyon pinipresenta ng House Prosecution Panel, paliwanag mula sa kanya,” Adiong noted.
Duterte faces charges involving confidential funds, unexplained wealth, bribery, alleged threats and other acts that the House contends bear on her fitness for public office.
“Pero ang naririnig natin at nakikita natin, ay umiiwas siya sa impeachment trial pero doon siya pupunta sa kanyang comfort zone,” Adiong pointed out.
The prosecution spokesperson argued that the hearings have created political pressure on Duterte because a conviction could include disqualification from holding public office.
“Ang ating palagay ay she is now working towards her ambition to become the next president,” Alonto Adiong maintained.
He clarified that the characterization of Duterte’s Hague activities as campaigning was his own assessment rather than an official conclusion adopted by the entire prosecution panel.
The trial nevertheless gives the public a forum to compare the Vice President’s political appeals with the testimony and documentary evidence presented under oath.
“Which by the way, makikita naman ng taong bayan sa ating impeachment trial kung talagang worthy siya to be our next leader considering that there are a lot of charges. That she faced, questioning her conduct and her fitness to even continue serving as the second highest official in the land,” Alonto Adiong added.
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