HOUSE impeachment prosecutor Rep. Lorenz Defensor of Iloilo on Wednesday said he understands the need for impeached Vice President Sara Duterte to attend to concerns relating to case of her father, former president Rodrigo Roa Duterte, whom the International Criminal Court (ICC) has detained in the Netherlands.
However, Defensor, a House Deputy Majority Leader, said the Vice President also has a duty to face issues in connection to her impending Senate impeachment trial and to respond to summonses.
“Being the Vice President, while you have a father to take care, you also have a nation to look after and a nation you have to see that you are accountable for your actions,” Defensor told Radyo 630 in an interview.
“Tandaan natin hindi kaso ng ICC ito, ang kalagayan ng dating Pangulong Duterte, pero kaso mismo ito ng mga sarili niyang kababayan na naging biktima ng drug war. At kaso ito hindi ng isang simple homicide, hindi simpleng murder. This is a case of crimes against humanity, laban sa sangkatauhan,” he said.
“Kaya naiintindihan natin ang dinaranas ng ating bansa. But we do not abandon our duties and responsibilities especially our accountability as the sitting Vice President,” he added.
Defensor reminded VP Duterte that she would have the chance to defend herself from impeachment charges in a Senate impeachment court that is expected to be impartial, victims of her father’s bloody war on drugs did not have the opportunity to explain themselves in a court because they were denied due process.
Defensor said the same chance would be given her father by the ICC.
“Talagang lahat ng mga pamilya na involved sa nangyayari sa ating bansa ay nakakaranas ng kahirapan. Pero tandaan din natin na ang mga pamilya na naging biktima ng drug war lalo’t lalo na ‘yung mga walang kasalanan ay nakalagay din sa sitwasyon na mas malala,” he said.
“In fact, wala silang due process. Maraming namatay na walang tsansang makapagpaliwanag sa isang korteng patas at sigurado akong ‘di hamak mas patas ang korteng ikinaharapan o kinalalagyan ng ating dating Pangulo,” he added.
The House prosecution team requested Senate President Francis “Chiz” Escudero on Tuesday to require VP Duterte to answer the impeachment complaint filed against her by the House of Representatives last February 5.
Prosecutors conceded that the Vice President can file an answer through her defense panel.
However, they would prefer that she is here in the country when her trial starts.
The Vice President is currently in the Netherlands trying to assemble a legal team for her father. She has appointed a British lawyer as lead counsel.
