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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider ICC evidence may be used vs VP Sara during impeachment trial — House prosecutor

ICC evidence may be used vs VP Sara during impeachment trial — House prosecutor

Published Mar 12, 2025 09:02 am

At A Glance

  • The pieces of evidence that will be presented at the International Criminal Court (ICC) against former president Rodrigo Duterte could also be used during the impeachment trial of his daughter, Vice President Sara Duterte, in the Philippines, one of the House prosecutors said Wednesday, March 12.

The pieces of evidence that will be presented at the International Criminal Court (ICC) against former president Rodrigo Duterte could also be used during the impeachment trial of his daughter, Vice President Sara Duterte, in the Philippines, one of the House prosecutors said Wednesday, March 12.

House Assistant Majority Leader Ako Bicol Party-list Rep. Jil Bongalon bared Wednesday, March 12, that the prosecution was considering using new evidence that will come out from the ICC if it can strengthen the impeachment case.

"We can consider that because again all evidence that will of course make our case more strong or stronger, definitely can be used against the impeachment complaint," Bongalon said.

20240508_095113.jpgAko Bicol Party-list Rep. Jil Bongalon

 

 

While the articles of impeachment--along with voluminous pieces of evidence--have already been sent to the Senate, Bongalon said new testimonial evidence or additional witnesses could still be considered.

"If there are other testimonial evidence, other witnesses who are willing to testify before the Senate sitting as an impeachment trial court, definitely we can consider that," he added.

But Bongalon noted that any new evidence must first be studied and discussed among the public and private prosecutors handling the case.

Meanwhile, the House prosecutor also commented on Vice President Duterte's move to fly to the Netherlands following the arrest of her father.

“The first thing that comes on my mind probably, nawalan na po ng isang defense lawyer si VP Sara (the Vice President already lost one lawyer). Right?" Bongalon said, pointing out that the former president previously signified his intent to serve as a legal counsel for his daughter in the upcoming Senate impeachment trial.

“Kasi ‘di ba nung pumutok ‘yung issue about the impeachment, isa sa mga nag-signify (When the impeachment issue was raised, one of those who signified) that will stand as a legal counsel will be former president Rodrigo Roa Duterte," he said.

 

Designated articles

Bongalon, who had been picked along with 10 other House members to prosecute the Vice President, confirmed that he had been assigned to handle two key articles of impeachment against in the trial.

“Well, I was tasked to handle article 2 of the articles of impeachment plus article 3. We are given the free will to join other articles, but I guess these two articles are already enough for me to handle,” he said.

He explained that article 2 covers the alleged misuse of confidential funds in the Office of the Vice President and the Department of Education, while article 3 pertains to bribery involving DepEd officials.

“These are the matters that were discussed thoroughly in the investigations of the Committee on Good Government. So, with these two articles for me, sapat na para sa akin i-handle at pag-aralan (they're already enough for me to handle),” Bongalon said.

Related Tags

Impeachment complaint Sara Duterte Jil Bongalon
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