Mamamayang Liberal (ML) Party-list Rep. Leila de Lima believes that impeachment respondent Vice President Sara Duterte's tendency to have emotional outbursts or so-called "meltdowns" is a "concern" for the latter's defense team.

"Yes, this could be a concern for the defense," says De Lima, who is on the other side of the fence, being part of the House prosecution team in Duterte's upcoming Senate impeachment trial.

Referring to Duterte, De Lima said: "Nakita naman natin kung paano siya magalit, kung paano nya ipinangalandakan yung matinding pagbabanta nya na ipapatay ang Presidente, First Lady at former Speaker of the House."

(We saw how she became angry and how she flaunted her grave threat to kill the President, the First Lady, and the former Speaker of the House.)

"Gaya nga ng sabi niya — at hindi nya ito itinanggi — 'no joke' yung threat na yun," added De Lima.

(As she herself said—and she did not deny it—that threat was 'no joke'.)

So blatant was this threat--bared by an fuming Duterte during a virtual press conference on Nov. 23, 2024--that it was listed as one of the four articles of impeachment against her.

With the pre-trial conference on Thursday, June 18 fast approaching, the big question is now whether or not the defense would actually place Duterte on the witness stand. If so, then De Lima and the rest of the prosecution team would get the opportunity to cross-examine the Vice President.

It remains to be seen if such a scenario would of net benefit to the respondent, whose plans of a 2028 presidential run would be derailed by a potential conviction.

"However, what is more important to point out is not her tendency for emotional outburst, but her consistent no-show and failure to respond to the allegations against her," De Lima said.

Duterte opted not to participate in the entire impeachment proceedings in the House of Representatives, which were initiated on Feb. 23.

"Impeachment, aside from being a constitutional accountability mechanism, is also an opportunity for VP Sara to defend herself. Pero imbes na harapin nya ito para masagot na nya ang mabibigat na alegasyon, ang gusto nya ay ipa-dismiss na naman ito. Nasaan ang accountability dun?" asked the former senator.

(But instead of facing it to answer the serious allegations, she wants it dismissed again. Where is the accountability in that?)

"Again, simple lang ang punto dito: Kung walang itinatago o walang kasalanan,  walang dapat iwasan at katakutan," De Lima further said.

(Again, the point here is simple: If there is nothing to hide and no wrongdoing, there is nothing to avoid or fear.)

The Senate impeachment trial against Duterte, the second highest official of the land, will begin on July 6. If convicted, she will be unseated as Vice President and barred from holding public office for life.