Defensor: '10 out of 10' confidence House will get VP Duterte convicted in impeachment trial

Iloilo 3rd district Rep. Lorenz Defensor (left), Vice President Sara Duterte (PPAB)

Iloilo 3rd district Rep. Lorenz Defensor has expressed supreme confidence that the impeached Vice President Sara Duterte would get convicted when the time comes for her Senate impeachment trial.

Defensor, one of the 11 congressmen tapped by the House of Representatives to prosecute the Vice President, said his confidence level is on a "10" in a scale of 1 to 10, as far as securing the conviction of the lady official is concerned.

On a scale of 1 to 10, House prosecutor says a confident ‘10’ on VP Duterte impeachment conviction

“For my article, I’ll give you a 10," Defensor said. By "article", defensor meant the seven articles of impeachment levelled against Vice President Duterte in the impeachment complaint that the House directly transmitted to the Senate last Feb. 5.

He didn't disclose the particular article that had been assigned to him.

“Malakas din naman ‘yung iba. Pero mas natuwa akong, ‘yung napili ko at nagustuhan ko, malamang ‘yun ang mapupunta sa akin (The other articles are strong, but I'm happy that the one that I want and prefer is probably the one that would get), he said.

The six major allegations contained in the seven articles of impeachment within the 33-page complaint are conspiracy to assassinate President Marcos; malversation of P612.5 million in confidential funds; bribery and corruption in Department of Education (DepEd); unexplained wealth and failure to disclose assets; involvement in extrajudicial killings (Davao Death Squad); and destabilization, insurrection, and public disorder.

As to whether or not Duterte should personally appear before the Senate impeachment court to testify, Defensor said it ultimately won't matter.

“I would prefer if she will testify. Pero kaya kong matapos ‘yung article ko (But I can finish my article) with or without the Vice President,” he said.

Defensor noted the possibility of prosecutors handling multiple articles.

“That’s possible. Pwede kami mag-crossover with other articles (We can crossover with other articles). Kasi pag tinignan mo (Because if you look at it), some of the articles are interrelated especially if the charge is betrayal of public trust, culpable violation of the Constitution, pwedeng tumawid ‘yun (these can overlap),” he explained.

Defensor said that the House prosecution team doesn't have a designated leader. But again, that won't be a problem.

“For now, wala kaming lead prosecutor (we don't have a lead prosecutor). I have to tell you that. Pero maganda ang samahan ng mga prosecutors (But tje prosecutors have good rapport)."

All articles are important

Meanwhile, Manila 1st district Rep. Ernix Dionisio reminded the public that one out of the seven articles of impeachment need to be proven in order to convict Duterte. 

"As far as we know, yes [you can be convicted], as long as you’re guilty of one. Kasi you can, pwede kang magsampa ng impeachment complaint (Because you can file an impeachment complaint) with just one article. So one should be sufficient,” he said.

When asked if the arrangement of the articles had any bearing, Dionisio said, “Actually in all honesty, ‘yung pagkaka-arrange ng mga articles of impeachment, I don’t think hindi naman ‘yan ‘yung mababa, pataas eh (the arrangement of the articles of impeachment are neither in descending nor ascending order)."

"All articles are equally important," he said.