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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider VP Sara Duterte camp slams House panel hearing, calls impeachment case a 'fishing expedition'

VP Sara Duterte camp slams House panel hearing, calls impeachment case a 'fishing expedition'

Legal team says evidence is weak, "spliced," and insufficient for probable cause

Published Apr 30, 2026 08:30 am  |  Updated Apr 30, 2026 05:15 pm

At A Glance

  • The camp of Sara Duterte says the House hearing presented weak, "curated," and "spliced" evidence
  • Her legal team argues the allegations fail to establish probable cause or a prima facie case
  • The inquiry by the House Committee on Justice is described as a "fishing expedition" to support defective impeachment complaints
The camp of Vice President Sara Duterte hits back at the House inquiry, alleging that the impeachment complaints lack sufficient evidence and yield flawed conclusions. (Photo from Inday Sara Duterte Facebook page)
The camp of Vice President Sara Duterte hits back at the House inquiry, alleging that the impeachment complaints lack sufficient evidence and yield flawed conclusions. (Photo from Inday Sara Duterte Facebook page)
The legal team of Vice President Sara Duterte on Thursday, April 30, criticized the recent proceedings of the House Committee on Justice, arguing that the presentation of evidence against her lacks substance and fails to meet the standard for probable cause.
In a statement, lawyer Paul Lawrence Lim, counsel for the Vice President in the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) complaint, said the allegations presented during the committee hearing—including claims of inciting to sedition and grave threats—were built on weak and questionable grounds.
“The presentation on the Vice President’s alleged commission of inciting to sedition and grave threats at yesterday’s House Committee on Justice hearing publicly reveals the paucity of the charges against her,” Lim said.
He added that the evidence appeared “curated” and even “spliced,” while key context was ignored. He also accused the proceedings of substituting opinion for facts and presenting guesswork as investigative findings.
“Evidence is curated, even spliced. Context is ignored. Opinion is substituted for facts. Guesswork is presented as investigation results,” Lim said.
‘No basis for probable cause’
According to Duterte’s counsel, the materials shown during the hearing fall short of establishing probable cause, much less a prima facie case that could lead to a conviction.
“These cannot be the foundation for probable cause, much less a prima facie case with reasonable certainty of conviction,” Lim stressed. “Simply repeating a conclusion, no matter how vehemently, does not make it true,” he added.
The statement also pushed back against attempts to link the Vice President to alleged remarks directed at President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., describing the connection as speculative and unsupported by evidence.
Alleged ‘leap in logic’
Lim argued that the effort to establish a causal relationship between Duterte and the controversial statements requires what he described as a “gigantic leap in logic” and a disregard for basic evidentiary principles.
“Similarly, the attempt to create a causal link or relationship between the Vice President and alleged comments against the President demands a gigantic leap in logic and abandonment of basic evidentiary principles,” Lim said.
He further claimed that the supposed link is being framed as an unresolved issue under investigation but subtly suggests guilt without proof.
“The non-existent connection to the Vice President is posed as a mystery still under investigation with no immediate answer, but strategically implies guilt,” Lim stressed. “This excites judgment without evidence,” he added.
‘Fishing expedition’ claim
The Vice President’s legal team characterized the House inquiry as a “fishing expedition,” alleging that it was intended to create the appearance of substance for what they described as defective impeachment complaints.
“If there is anything that was proved by yesterday’s proceedings, it is to confirm that it is and has always been a fishing expedition aimed at giving a semblance of substance to the defective impeachment complaints,” Lim said.
Moving forward
With the committee hearings concluded, Duterte’s camp said the allegations would be addressed in the appropriate legal venues, including proceedings related to the NBI complaint.
“With the committee hearings finished, the issue of the alleged commission of crimes will be addressed at the proper fora, where evidence is expected to support judgment and the rule of law is expected to be respected,” Lim said. 
RELATED STORY: 
https://mb.com.ph/2026/04/29/vp-sara-dutertes-camp-on-impeachment-case-house-probable-cause-finding-not-unexpected

Related Tags

Sara Duterte impeachment House Committee on Justice hearing VP Duterte legal defense inciting to sedition Philippines grave threats complaint Sara Duterte NBI complaint Duterte
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