Vice President Sara Duterte’s request to junk the impeachment complaint against her drew sharp criticism from House prosecution team spokesperson Atty. Antonio Bucoy, who questioned the move as a possible sign of weak defense.
Speaking during the Saturday News Forum in Quezon City, Bucoy emphasized that Duterte’s motion could imply an unwillingness to face the allegations head-on. “If you can really face it and you want to clear your name, answer based on facts. What we’ve presented to you is factual, supported by evidence whether testimonial, documentary or demonstrative,” he said in a mix of English and Filipino.
Bucoy further accused Duterte of trying to “dribble” the process instead of engaging with the substance of the charges. “She won’t answer, she’s even dribbling it and she wants to dismiss it immediately. What does this mean? She has no evidence or she doesn’t want the prosecution’s evidence to come out,” he added.
The remarks followed the House panel’s filing of a formal response to Duterte’s answer ad cautelam, in which she urged the impeachment court to throw out the complaint.
Duterte faces serious accusations, including culpable violation of the Constitution, bribery, graft and corruption, betrayal of public trust, and other high crimes. Central to the case is her alleged misuse of P612.5 million in confidential funds.
