House prosecutors ask Senate to summon VP over impeachment raps

CONGRESSMEN who will serve as prosecutors in Vice-President (VP) Sara Duterte-Carpio’s impeachment trial on Tuesday asked the Senate to compel her to comment on her ouster complaint.

- Kenneth Christiane L. Basilio and Adrian H. Halili

In a motion, the lawmakers also urged the Senate to summon Ms. Duterte to inform her of the charges against her, which could jumpstart the stalled impeachment process. The congressmen want her to answer in 10 days, according to a copy sent to reporters.

“The move... is a critical step to compel the Vice-President to respond to the articles of impeachment and to avoid unnecessary delays in the conduct of the impeachment trial,” the House of Representatives prosecution panel said in a statement.

The House impeached the Vice-President on Feb. 5, alleging secret fund misuse, unexplained wealth, acts of destabilization and plotting the assassination of President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. and his family. Ms. Duterte has denied any wrongdoing.

The impeachment complaint was filed and signed by more than 200 congressmen, more than the one-third legal requirement before it could be sent to the Senate.