Ready to confront the case.
This was the short yet direct response of vice President Sara Duterte’s defense team amid the calls for the Senate to officially start the impeachment trial against her.
In an official statement, Duterte’s defense team revealed that they avoided giving a statement regarding the situation since this is exclusive and internal to the Senate.
Despite this, the camp affirmed that the impeachment process, particularly the Fourth Impeachment Complaint, has serious constitutional infirmities.
They argued that the process of impeachment should not be weaponized to harass, silence, and eliminate political opponents.
It added that impeachment is a constitutional mechanism and should not be used as a tool for political purposes and agendas.
If the Senate pursues the trial, Duterte’s team said that they are ready to confront the charges.
They also said that they will expose the allegations against Duterte as baseless.
It can be recalled that calls to start the impeachment trial grew louder after Senate President Francis Chiz Escudero moved on June 11 the schedule of Senate’s convening as an impeachment court.
This is despite having few days left before the 19th Congress sine die adjourns.