Manila 3rd district Rep. Joel Chua is trying to entice Vice President Sara Duterte to participate in her own impeachment proceedings by saying that it could ultimately help fulfill her presidential aspiration in the 2028 polls.

“Especially now, that the Vice President declared her intention to run for presidency come 2028, which is two years from now,” Chua said in a statement Friday, March 20.

According to Chua, the Vice President could treat the impeachment process as an opportunity to clear her name once and for all.

“By the time na tumakbo siya, at least, this is the right opportunity para linisin ‘yung pangalan niya (By the time she runs, at least, this is the right opportunity to clear her name),” he said in a statement Friday, March 20,

The impeachment case is currently at the level of the House Committee on Justice, where Chua is a vice chairman.

The Manila lawmaker said that if the case reaches the Senate impeachment court and is ultimately dismissed for one reason or another, Duterte could later use that outcome in her presidential campaign.

“Now, once this impeachment complaint has been endorsed to the Senate, at eventually, let’s say by stroke of luck, nanalo siya. O ‘di pagdating ng kampanya, hindi na po pwedeng magamit sa kanya ‘yun. Pu-pwedeng sabihin na na-dismiss nga eh,” Chua explained.

(Now, once this impeachment complaint has been endorsed to the Senate, and eventually, let’s say by stroke of luck she wins. Then when the campaign period comes, that can no longer be used against her. It can definitely be mentioned that it was dismissed.)

The belief is that Vice President Duterte isn't inclined to attend any of the justice panel's proceedings. This, after her camp practically said in its Consolidated Verified Answer Ad Cautelam--submitted last Monday, March 16--that there was no allegations to address as far as the two remaining impeachment complaints against the respondent was concerned.

This non-answer prompted the impeachment complainants to waive their right to reply, which in turn hastened the panel proceedings. On Wednesday, March 18, the two impeachment raps sufficient in grounds by the justice panel.

The committee subsequently scheduled the first day of the "hearings proper" stage of the impeachment proceedings on March 25. Vice President Duterte has been invited.

Chua said the impeachment case represents the kind of scrutiny that should be applied to anyone seeking the country’s highest post.

“This is a test of character,” he said.

This is the second time in as many years that Duterte is facing impeachment proceedings at the House of Representatives.