Sara's best opportunity to defend self is during impeach hearings-legislator

VICE President Sara Z. Duterte has the “best opportunity” to defend and answer the allegations against her, the chairperson of the House or Representatives Committee on Justice said on Tuesday, as impeachment proceedings move forward amid growing public interest.

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Batangas Rep. Gerville Luistro, the panel chairman, said “the hearings provide a crucial platform for anyone asserting innocence to contest accusations.”

The committee is set to convene on Wednesday where it is expected to establish ground rules, address key motions, and begin hearings on the complaints in preparation for the evidentiary phase.

“Because, hypothetically, if you are claiming innocence, you should take every opportunity to prove it. And this formal hearing is the best chance for her to defend herself against the allegations in the complaint,” Luistro said.

“I think it’s about time that the public hears the response of our Vice President,” Luistro added, highlighting the increasing public interest in the matter.

While attending the hearings is ultimately Duterte's choice, Luistro pointed out that the seriousness and duration of the allegations make a response important.

“Well, it’s actually her choice whether to come or not, but from the perspective of an ordinary Filipino citizen, these questions have been raised since the 19th Congress, I think 2024. Now it is 2026 already, and I believe that a huge number of Filipinos wanted to hear the answer of the vice president, and it is from this light that I am hopeful that the vice president will be availing of this opportunity to answer all the allegations,” Luistro said.

The accusations include alleged misuse of confidential funds, bribery, threats, and unexplained wealth. Luistro said such serious allegations warrant a defense, particularly for the country's second-highest official.

“These are serious allegations, and under normal circumstances, you would take every opportunity to defend yourself - especially since this involves the vice president, the second-highest official in the country. In this light, I am hoping that she will be able to attend,” Luistro added.