Senate President Vicente Sotto III pushed back sharply against claims by lawyer Salvador Panelo that four senators have already decided to vote to convict Vice President Sara Duterte, saying the chamber will withhold judgment until evidence is presented.
“Does Panelo have a crystal ball? We will remain impartial and wait for whatever will be presented. I resent that allegation,” Sotto said.
Panelo had named Sotto himself, along with Senators Panfilo Lacson, Risa Hontiveros, and Francis Pangilinan, as among those who had allegedly made up their minds ahead of the trial.
Sotto confirmed that majority bloc members held an informal dinner to discuss the anticipated proceedings, though he clarified it fell short of an official Senate caucus. He also disclosed that he is undergoing a legal refresher course in preparation for his role as presiding officer of the impeachment court.
Senate President Pro Tempore Lacson said majority senators are also girding for efforts by Duterte’s allies in the minority to block or delay the trial once it begins.
Duterte faces charges of betrayal of public trust and misuse of confidential funds, among others. Adding weight to the financial allegations, the Commission on Audit has ordered the OVP to return P448.2 million in disallowed confidential funds — comprising P375 million in cash advances that the office must “personally return” and P73.2 million in a return order that has reached “finality.” A further P300 million had previously been disallowed with finality under a separate COA ruling. The OVP said it had not received a copy of the decision and declined to comment.
