The House Prosecution Team welcomed the decision of the Supreme Court to dismiss the petitions questioning the actions conducted by the House of Representatives and House Committee on Justice, in relation to the impeachment complaint against Vice President Sara Duterte.

In a statement, House Lead Prosecutor and Batangas 2nd District Representative Gerville Luistro, she said that the ruling affirms constitutional mechanisms and reinforces the fundamental principle that no public servant, including the second highest official of the country, will escape accountability.

Rep. Luistro serves as the chairperson of the House Committee on Justice, which conducted hearings on impeachment complaints against the Vice President,

The recommendation and resolution of the committee served as a basis for the articles of impeachment of the House plenary, which are now being tried by the Senate Impeachment Court.

House Prosecution Panel Member and Manila 3rd District Representative Joel Chua said that there will be no obstacles to the continuation of the trial anymore.

“At least hindi na tayo kakaba-kaba na baka mamaya bukas makalawa ay patitigilin tayo dahil sasabihin nila ay may Supreme Court decision at sinasabi, ‘unconstitutional’,” he said

[“At least we no longer have to worry that the proceedings might be cancelled later on because they’re going to say that there is a decision from the Supreme Court that says ‘unconstitutional’.]

Another prosecution panel member, Bicol Saro Rep. Terry Ridon, said that this is the time for the defense team to move on.

“Panahon na po para mag-move on depensa sa usapin po ng mini trial, sa usapin po ng fishing expedition,” he said

[“It is time for the defense to move on from arguments about a ‘mini-trial’ or a ‘fishing expedition’.”]

The trial of Vice President Sara Duterte has entered its fifth week, where the prosecution is currently presenting witnesses for Article I – the alleged use of confidential funds.

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