MANILA – The defense team of Vice President Sara Duterte-Carpio declared readiness should the Senate proceed with her impeachment trial.
Even if they pointed out that the impeachment process should not be used as a weapon to harass political opponents, they signaled preparedness to answer the allegations against the Vice President.
“We deem it proper to refrain from commenting on matters that are exclusive and internal to the Senate. However, we reiterate our firm position that the initiation of the impeachment process — particularly the Fourth Impeachment Complaint — suffers from serious constitutional infirmities,” they said.
“The impeachment process must never be weaponized to harass, silence, or eliminate political opponents. It is a constitutional mechanism, not a political tool,” the defense team added.
If the impeachment trial pushes through, the Vice President’s lawyers said they are prepared to “expose the baselessness of the accusations” against her.
Duterte-Carpio herself has expressed readiness to face an impeachment trial in the Senate, saying that she welcomes the legal battle even if it turns into a “bloodbath.”
“Lawyers, okay naman sila, full throttle ‘yung kanilang preparations sa impeachment. And, of course, they do not want a trial. As lawyers, alam naman natin ang galawan ng mga abugado. Madami silang paraan sa batas as a legal recourse for their clients,” she said.
“Sinabihan ko na rin talaga sila. I truly want a trial because I want a bloodbath talaga,” she added.
The Vice President also stated that she’s already “at peace” no matter the results of the impeachment trial, which is expected to start by July under a new set of senators at the 20th Congress.
“Wala akong expectations of acquittal or a guilty verdict. Basta sa akin lang, tinanggap ko na kung ano iyong magiging verdict, guilty man yon or acquittal, I’m already at peace,” Duterte-Carpio said.
The House of Representatives impeached Duterte on Feb. 5. The Articles of Impeachment were transmitted to the Senate on the same day, but the upper chamber took a recess without tackling the matter./PN
