Prosecutors to Sara Duterte camp: Denial is no longer enough
MANILA, Philippines — House prosecutors called on Vice President Sara Duterte's defense team to answer the evidence presented against her after a recent OCTA Research survey showed that 71% of Filipinos believe law and evidence should guide the Senate impeachment court's decision.
House prosecution spokesperson Benjamin Tolosa Jr. and adviser Rep. Ace Barbers said at a press briefing Friday, July 24, that Duterte's camp should present its evidence and respond to what prosecutors have laid out during the first three weeks of trial.
"A simple denial is no longer enough. They need to answer the authenticated recordings, the forensic findings, the official investigation and the national security assessment already on record," Tolosa said in Filipino.
Earlier Friday, OCTA Research released the results of a survey conducted from July 4 to 11, asking 1,200 Filipinos aged 18 and above nationwide what should matter most in the decision of the Senate impeachment court. The survey had a ±3% margin of error at a 95% confidence level.
Seven in every 10 Filipinos, or 71%, said senator-judges should be guided by what the law states and what the evidence presented during the proceedings shows.
House prosecutors welcomed the survey results, saying these emphasized the need for Duterte and her camp to answer the prosecution's evidence.
"I think the Filipino people deserve an answer after hearing and seeing all this evidence presented by the prosecution. Now is the time for the other side, or the accused, to answer it," Barbers said.
Accountability, not popularity
Tolosa and Barbers agreed that the survey results support the prosecution's position that Duterte should not use her popularity to evade accountability.
Barbers cited a recent Pulse Asia survey in which 58% of Filipinos expressed trust in the vice president, saying OCTA's survey showed that popularity and trust do not mean freedom from accountability.
With the high popularity, trust and satisfaction ratings of our vice president, the standards of accountability for her office should be higher, and she should not violate our laws because that is her sworn duty," Barbers said.
Tolosa said the survey clarified the public's position on the impeachment trial.
"At least it is becoming clear that it is not only the prosecution saying this, but also the people. Just because a public servant is popular does not mean that person can escape accountability," Tolosa said.
The impeachment trial is set to resume on July 29 after President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.'s State of the Nation Address. After 11 trial days on the alleged grave threats case, proceedings are expected to shift to the alleged misuse of confidential funds, with two former Land Bank officials set to be presented as witnesses.
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