House impeachment team slams VP Sara's SC petition

House impeachment prosecutors and leaders have criticized Vice President Sara Duterte's camp for filing a petition before the Supreme Court to halt her impeachment trial, labeling it a "desperate attempt to evade accountability."

They argue that the Constitution grants Congress the sole prerogative to conduct impeachment proceedings and that the petition signifies "mounting fear" and an effort to avoid scrutiny.

San Juan City Rep. Ysabel Zamora, one of the House prosecutors, states that Duterte's camp is employing "delaying tactics," a common strategy for defense lawyers.

Tingog Party-list Rep. Jude Acidre questioned Duterte's fear of the truth and argued that blocking the impeachment process through the High Court "only raises more doubts."

Acidre also noted a pattern of Duterte attempting to suppress scrutiny, citing an instance last year where her office allegedly tried to prevent the Commission on Audit (COA) from releasing findings on her controversial usage of P125-million confidential funds.

He asked, "If Vice President Sara Duterte has done nothing wrong, why is she so afraid of the truth?" and "What exactly is she trying to hide?"

The House of Representatives impeached Duterte with 215 lawmakers voting to endorse the impeachment complaint.

Duterte petitioned the SC for a temporary restraining order (TRO) to block her impeachment trial in the Senate, where conviction could permanently bar her from public office.