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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider 'Umay na?': Pinoys tired of VP Duterte's penchant for citing technicalities in impeachment case

'Umay na?': Pinoys tired of VP Duterte's penchant for citing technicalities in impeachment case

Published Jun 2, 2026 04:44 pm
Vice President Sara Duterte (Ellson Quismorio/ MANILA BULLETIN)
Vice President Sara Duterte (Ellson Quismorio/ MANILA BULLETIN)


Kabataan Party-list Rep. Renee Co believes Filipinos have had enough of Vice President Sara Duterte's criticisms on the impeachment process amid the respondent's supposed attempts to escape accountability.
"She is simply beating around the bush and weaponzing bureaucratic technicalities to run away," Co, one of the House prosecution panel's spokespersons, said of the Vice President on Tuesday, June 2.
"The people are tired of the same story," the militant congresswoman added.
On Monday, the Duterte’s camp officially filed before the Senate impeachment court its reply to the articles of impeachment that originated from the House of Representatives.
House prosecution members--namely Bicol Saro Party-list have earlier slammed Duterte’s answer for practically being a "non-answer" and a retread of the respondent's attacks on the constitutional process of impeachment.
They also chided the Vice President for once again citing technicalities and seeking a dismissal of the articles even before the start of Senate trial.
"Una sa lahat, hindi nilitis si VP Sara sa House. Gaya ng pagkakaiba sa pagharap sa piskal at korte, magkaiba ang trial sa probable cause hearings," Co said.
(First of all, VP Sara was not tried in the House. Just like the difference between facing the prosecutor and the court, trial and probable cause hearings are not the same.)
"Hindi pwedeng isantabi na lang ang ebidensya nang hindi pinapasadahan ito. Kung may sagot sila sa ebidensya, iharap nila sa paglilitis (Evidence cannot simply be set aside without being examined. If they have answers to the evidence, they must present them during the trial). It is her Constitutional duty to see the process through," the Kabataan solon said, echoing the stand of the public prosecutors.
Co said the people want and deserve accountability in connection with the case of the twice-impeached Duterte.
"Gusto na nilang matuloy ang hearing na ito at malaman kung totoo ang mga alegasyon. Hindi uubra na sabihin niya sa Senado na huwag nang mag-trial at dismiss na agad ang kaso," she said.
(They want this hearing to proceed and to know if the allegations are true. She cannot just tell the Senate not to hold a trial and dismiss the case outright.)
Vice President Duterte's conviction via impeachment trial is being sought over her offices' alleged misuse of P612.5 million worth of confidential funds; untruthful declarations in the filing of her statements of assets, liabilities, and net worth; unexplained wealth; and death threats to President Marcos, First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos, and former House Speaker Leyte 1st district Rep. Martin Romualdez.

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Sara Duterte Impeachment Senate Renee Co Articles of Impeachment
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