MANILA — Vice President Sara Duterte-Carpio on Sunday asked the House of Representatives to wait for her decision on whether she will formally respond to the two impeachment complaints filed against her, saying lawmakers will soon know if she intends to submit an answer to the charges.
Speaking to reporters in Davao City, Duterte-Carpio said the House should simply wait until today to see if she will file a response to the complaints now being taken up by the chamber.
“Monday is near, right? Let’s just wait if I will file or not. The House of Representatives can just wait,” Duterte-Carpio said.
The Vice President also addressed questions raised about the lawyers representing her in the impeachment proceedings, saying it was unusual for critics to question a respondent’s choice of legal counsel.
Her remark came after House Committee on Justice member and Bicol Saro party-list’s Cong. Terry Ridon said the panel would examine a possible conflict of interest involving two of Duterte-Carpio’s lawyers during its next hearing on March 18.
The lawyers cited were former Education Assistant Secretary for Procurement Reynold Munsayac and former Department of Education spokesperson Michael Poa.
Duterte-Carpio did not directly address the alleged conflict of interest but insisted that respondents in legal proceedings should be free to select their own lawyers.
“This is the first time I’ve heard that a respondent is not allowed to choose their own lawyers. Let’s just wait and see what happens,” she said.
The vice president also brushed aside speculation circulating online that the impeachment controversy could involve another alleged “maleta” or suitcase supposedly containing money used as bribes — similar to accusations previously made by former Marines against several politicians.
“Let’s wait and see. Maybe there will be new photos again showing new suitcases,” Duterte-Carpio said.
Despite the political pressure surrounding the impeachment complaints, Duterte-Carpio said she does not take the attacks against her personally, describing them as part of the realities of politics.
However, she warned that alleged corruption and abuse affecting the country should not be ignored.
“What they did to me is personal, and that’s normal in politics. It doesn’t affect me,” she said. “But what they did to the country — corruption and abuse — that is something we should not let pass.”/PN
