Metro Manila, Philippines – The impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte is not intended to divert attention from the government’s investigation on the flood control scam, a House spokesperson for the prosecution panel said Monday, June 29.
In an interview on The Newsmaker, Lanao del Sur Rep. Zia Alonto Adiong rejected claims by some senators, including Alan Peter Cayetano, that the impeachment proceedings overshadow the flood control controversy.
“I respect the position of Senator Cayetano, although I strongly disagree with how he framed it,” Adiong said. “The government is designed to address multiple problems at the same time.”
He said the flood control investigation has progressed independently.
“The flood control issue has already been taken cognizance of by the ombudsman. In fact, there is already a case where an elected official has been arrested and detained, while case build-up continues,” Adiong said.
He said the Senate should allow the impeachment trial to proceed while the ombudsman and the courts take up the flood control cases.
Asked whether the scandal was a smokescreen to delay the impeachment proceedings, Adiong said he could not speculate on the motives of some lawmakers but noted that a number of senators highlighting the issue had declined to sign the committee report when the Senate investigation was chaired by Panfilo Lacson.
“I don’t know the purpose of some of our legislators why they keep bringing this up,” he said.
Duterte has asked the Senate, sitting as an impeachment court, to dismiss the articles of impeachment, arguing that the proceedings are constitutionally defective.
The House prosecution panel maintains that the Constitution requires the Senate to hear the case and render a verdict after trial.
