Impeachment filers, civil society groups back ‘narrowing’ case vs Sara Duterte

MANILA — More than 20 of the filers of impeachment complaints against Vice President Sara Duterte said on Tuesday they support the prosecution’s decision to focus on the allegation of unexplained wealth, adding avenues exist to seek accountability for the three others that have been dropped.

In a joint statement, filers of the complaint endorsed by Akbayan Party-List and the one endorsed by Mamamayang Liberal Party-List called the prosecution’s decision “a strategic move to focus on the evidence and bring the proceedings to a timely resolution.”

Anti-corruption advocates and leaders of civil society groups, including the Student Council Alliance of the Philippines, Akbayan Youth, August Twenty One Movement, and NAGKAISA! Labor Coalition, also signed the joint statement.

“This is neither an abandonment of accountability nor an erasure of the allegations,” they said of the dropping of allegations of grave threats, misuse of confidential funds, and bribery.

“Neither does it foreclose the pursuit of justice through other lawful processes,” they also said, noting proceedings at the Office of the Ombudsman and at the Quezon City Regional Trial Court.

They said focusing on the allegation of unexplained wealth would help provide “a timely resolution” and avoid “endless procedural wrangling that delays judgment.” 

They also said they issued the statement to “reaffirm our faith in and support for the House prosecution team.”

Bagong Alyansang Makabayan president Renato Reyes Jr., among the filers of a complaint that the House justice committee eventually set aside, said on October 13 that setting aside the allegation on confidential funds was “a great disservice to the Filipino people, and a huge missed opportunity.”

He said that the alleged corruption in the use of the funds had been “clearly established” and that the impeachment “gained steam” because of the issues surrounding Duterte’s confidential funds.

Duterte’s defense team had also objected to the withdrawal of the three allegations, saying the prosecution had presented its witnesses and that the vice president would be “denied the benefit of having that evidence contradicted.”

But the civil society leaders said Tuesday that the defense’s argument that Duterte has been denied due process is “drama”.

“The irony is that the defense’s repeated attempts to delay and prolong the trial are precisely why narrowing the case has become necessary,” they said as they labelled the defense’s objections “unusual and illogical.”

They pointed out that Duterte and her legal team are facing three fewer allegations at the Senate impeachment court, which is on break until November 9.

“We will remain vigilant throughout the impeachment proceedings and continue to hold all those involved accountable. We will see this process through and continue to pursue accountability through every lawful means available,” they also said. — Jonathan de Santos, ABS-CBN News