This week, the House prosecution team dropped impeachment charges involving Vice President Sara Duterte’s misuse of confidential and intelligence funds and her threats against President Ferdinand Marcos Jr along with First Lady Liza Marco and former Speaker Martin Romualdez.
The prosecution’s decision to withdraw three of the four charges and leave the allegations of unexplained wealth as the remaining impeachment charge raises serious questions. ICHRP decries this as move as an erosion of justice as the Filipino people seek to accountability including those even at the highest level of government.
“While this may appear an attempt of the prosecution to speed up the trial, it allows for the Vice President to evade accountability of some of the most serious allegations against the Vice President,” said newly elected ICHRP Chairperson, Rev Sadie Stone, J.D..
“By dropping these charges, the House prosecutors are denying the impeachment court and the Filipino people the opportunity to determine her guilt,” continued Stone.
Duterte’s impeachment trial started last July on grounds that she violated the constitution, committed graft and bribery, betrayed public trust, and gained unexplained wealth, among other crimes. Prosecutors have been presenting evidence against the beleaguered vice president since then.
“ICHRP fully supports the Filipino people’s relentless pursuit of justice and campaigning for full accountability of those who abuse power and commit crimes against the people. The impeachment trial of Sara as well as the ICC case against her father is a result of the people’s relentless campaigning, and ICHRP will continue to support the victims of injustice under Duterte and Marcos Jr. alike.”
