Metro Manila, Philippines – House private prosecutor Lorna Kapunan expressed confidence that Vice President Sara Duterte will be convicted in her impeachment trial, saying the evidence gathered by the prosecution is strong enough to sustain each of the four articles of impeachment.
In an interview on The Newsmaker, Kapunan said the prosecution panel is entering the trial phase with confidence after relying on evidence and witnesses previously presented during hearings at the House Committee on Justice.
“With the quality and the strength of our evidence, conviction is not far behind,” Kapunan said.
Kapunan, a veteran trial lawyer with 48 years of courtroom experience, is among at least 10 private prosecutors tapped to assist the House prosecution panel in the impeachment proceedings against Duterte.
She said private prosecutors will operate under the supervision of the House prosecutors and may be assigned to assist in witness presentation and cross-examinations, depending on the needs of the prosecution team.
Kapunan argued that each of the four impeachment articles is independently strong enough to secure a conviction.
“Each article is solid enough. If you were to look at the evidence and listen to the merits of the case and to the credibility of the witnesses and the authenticity of the public records that have been presented and will be presented, conviction, I think, is a conservative conclusion,” she said.
She also dismissed claims that the impeachment case is politically motivated.
“The evidence the prosecution will present is not politically motivated,” Kapunan said, rejecting accusations that prosecutors are taking instructions from Malacañang.
Kapunan criticized Duterte’s legal response to the impeachment complaint, saying it largely relied on procedural and constitutional arguments rather than factual rebuttals.
“Her legal arguments are rehashed. Parang kinopy-paste lang,” she said.
The private prosecutor also urged Duterte to personally participate in the impeachment proceedings.
Kapunan added that even if Duterte chooses not to appear, the impeachment trial can proceed under Senate rules.
