Sara camp on impeach archiving: Work not over

Vice President Sara Duterte's impeachment case is not yet over since the Supreme Court (SC) has yet to decide on the motion for reconsideration filed by the House of Representatives, according to her defense team.

- BELLA CARIASO

Nineteen of 24 senators voted on Wednesday to archive the Articles of Impeachment against Duterte, which include graft and corruption charges.

If the high court reverses its decision finding the impeachment complaint unconstitutional, senators may vote to revive the case.

"Our focus is to comment on the arguments in the motion for reconsideration," Michael Poa, spokesman for Duterte's 16-member defense team, told dzBB yesterday.

Duterte is ready to face allegations of misuse of confidential funds, Poa maintained.

"The Vice President already said that she is ready to respond at the right time," he said. "As part of the defense team, it is our position that it should be done in the proper forum, through the proper legal channels and processes, and the allegations should be backed up by proper evidence."

The defense team, he said, has been preparing for the case since February.

Senate Minority Leader Tito Sotto and Senators Risa Hontiveros, Kiko Pangilinan and Bam Aquino voted against the motion to archive. Sen. Panfilo Lacson abstained.

The exact whereabouts of the Vice President remain unknown, although Poa and her spokesperson Ruth Castelo asserted that Duterte is in the Philippines.

Castelo maintained that Duterte is still running the Office of the Vice President (OVP).

“She may not be here physically. We don’t see her, but the work for the office is still being done. Although sometimes, virtual. Sometimes, ghost,” she said.