A lawyer involved in the withdrawn impeachment complaint against Sara Duterte said the vice president is constitutionally obligated to respond to allegations raised against her, but he believes she may not show up at the House proceedings.
Speaking at the Saturday Media Forum, Atty. Dino de Leon stressed that the impeachment process is a constitutional mechanism meant to ensure accountability among public officials.
“Duty bound siya [VP Duterte]. Constitutional process ‘to… accountability ito, kailangan mag-explain siya,” De Leon said, emphasizing that the vice president must address the accusations raised against her.
He added that the Constitution treats impeachment as a “sacred process” that must be respected, noting that Duterte should honor the country’s institutions, including the House of Representatives and, if the process advances, the Senate.
“The Constitution says this is a sacred process and [VP] Sara Duterte needs to respect the institutions, including the House of Representatives, including eventually the Senate. And she needs to answer to the Constitution… this is about accountability, she needs to explain,” he said.
Despite this, De Leon expressed doubt that Duterte would attend the hearings.
“Pupusta ako dyan, hindi ‘yan darating. Pero kung darating siya, hindi niya sasagutin ang mga tanong. Bagkos, ililihis na naman [ang usapan] at magagalit at sasabihin politika lamang ito,” he added. ##
News Source: GMA News Online
Photo credit: foxnews.com
