Metro Manila, Philippines – Vice President Sara Duterte on Friday, March 13, reiterated that evidence was insufficient to proceed with an impeachment case against her.
She called moves for the House of Representatives to obtain documents to back the complaints against her a “fishing expedition.”
“The committee cannot conduct an investigation to search for evidence to support accusations already made in the impeachment complaints. Doing so would amount to a third ‘fishing expedition’ by the House of Representatives,” Duterte said.
“Now we are witnessing yet another desperate attempt to search for evidence where none exists,” she added.
Akbayan Rep. Chel Diokno requested the House committee on justice to issue subpoenas to obtain documents and records about Duterte, including her statements of assets, liabilities, and net worth, and records from the Anti-Money Laundering Council regarding her covered or suspicious transactions.
He also sought records from the National Bureau of Investigation about threats made by Duterte against President Bongbong Marcos, First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos, and former Speaker Martin Romualdez.
The vice president is facing two impeachment complaints that were declared sufficient in form and substance.
In his response, Diokno defended his move.
“I respect the vice president’s opinion about the proceedings. However, my motion is clear: to preserve the documentary evidence and secure a witness so the committee on justice can fulfill its duty of assessing the evidence,” he said, also noting his request for Ramil Lagunoy Madriaga, the material witness, to be transferred to custody of the House panel.
He said Duterte may refute the allegations by submitting a response and evidence to the committee.
“Sa huli, ang ebidensya ang magsasabi kung dapat may pananagutan. At ang impeachment proceeding ang tamang lugar para lumabas ang katotohanan,” said Diokno.
[Translation: In the end, the evidence will determine who should be held accountable, and the impeachment proceeding is the proper venue for the truth to come out.]
