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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider Marcoleta to VP Duterte's prosecutors: 'Let's debate'

Marcoleta to VP Duterte's prosecutors: 'Let's debate'

Published May 17, 2025 08:44 pm

At A Glance

  • Senator-elect and outgoing SAGIP Party-list Representative Rodante Marcoleta has challenged House prosecutors for a debate on why the senator-judges should convict impeached Vice President Sara Duterte.
​Senator-elect and outgoing SAGIP Party-list Representative Rodante Marcoleta has challenged House prosecutors for a debate on why the senator-judges should convict impeached Vice President Sara Duterte.
"Pagdebatehan muna natin kung talagang kailanga matuloy o hindi (Let's debate first if we should push through with the trial or not)," Marcoleta, a known Duterte ally, said in a media interview after his proclamation on Saturday, May 17.
Marcoleta was not among the signatories in the impeachment complaint that was approved by the majority of the members of the House of Representatives last Feb. 5.
He said he didn’t support the complaint because he didn't agree with how House members created the document. 
"Mali ang batayan, mali ang proseso (The basis and the process are wrong)," he said.
He stressed that he was "prepared" to debate and already "knew what to do" because from the very start, he was aware of the House of Representatives' big mistake regarding the impeachment.
Asked what it was, he simply said: "Secret."
Other senators chime in
Meanwhile, Senator Christopher "Bong" Go, another Duterte ally who garnered the most number of votes during the polls, said he would wait for the prosecution team to present its evidence as well as the response of the defense team.
He said he he wants to remain impartial on the matter.
"Based on evidence po 'yan, kung wala naman pong ebidensya, edi wala. Ano pa itagal natin dito, sayang po ang panahon (That will be based on evidence. If there's no evidence, then the case will be nothing. Why do we have to prolong her case? We're just wasting time)," he said.
"Unahin po muna natin ang pagseserbisyo sa taumbayan (Let's prioritize the delivery of public service)," he added.
Senator Imee Marcos, another supporter of the Dutertes, said she will "rely on evidence".
Meanwhile Senator-elect Panfilo Ping" Lacson said House prosecutors must present strong evidence if they want to secure Vice President Duterte's conviction.
"I would advise the prosecution to present a credible evidence kasi bakit ka mag-coconvict kung walang ebidensya. Bakit ka mag-aacquit kung matibay ang ebidensya (Why would you convict her if there's no evidence, and why would you acquit her if the evidence is strong)," Lacson argued.
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