MANILA โ The House prosecution panel made clear Tuesday that Vice President Sara Z. Duterteโs possible resignation would not automatically end her impeachment trial.
Lead prosecutor Rep. Gerville โJinky Bitricsโ Luistro of Batangas explained that impeachment carries two principal penalties: removal from office and perpetual disqualification from holding public office. While resignation would render the penalty of removal moot, Luistro argued that the Senate impeachment court must still decide whether Duterte should be permanently barred from public service.
โThis is my opinion, not the opinion of the 11 prosecutors,โ Luistro said. โWe have to remember that there are two principal penaltiesโฆ While resignation from office will render moot and academic the penalty of removal, it is my position that we need to continue the trial for the senator-judges to determine whether or not they will impose perpetual disqualification.โ
Akbayan Party-list Rep. Chel Diokno backed Luistroโs view, calling it a valid legal observation. Mamamayang Liberal Party-list Rep. Leila de Lima added that the proceedings also serve as due process for Duterte, giving her the opportunity to formally answer the allegations.
The Senate, sitting as an impeachment court, has already issued a writ of summons for Duterte to respond to the articles of impeachment. Reports indicate her legal team intends to file an answer.
The four articles accuse Duterte of misusing โฑ612.5 million in confidential funds, failing to disclose assets and bank transactions in her Statements of Assets, Liabilities and Net Worth (SALNs), committing alleged bribery during her tenure as Education secretary, and making grave threats against President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos, and former Speaker Martin Romualdez.
The 11-member House panel expressed confidence in presenting witnesses and evidence before the Senate, insisting that the trial must continue to establish accountability and determine whether Duterte should face perpetual disqualification.
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