Abante Denies House Rejected Entry of Appearance of VP Sara Duterte’s Lawyers
House spokesperson Princess Abante reacted to the entry of appearance of the lawyers of Vice Pres. Sara Duterte in her impeachment process.
Amid the process towards her impeachment trial, Vice Pres. Sara Duterte has previously expressed that she has accepted the outcome of the trial whether she would be acquitted or convicted. She claimed that she is most confident about her lawyers and she leaves the matter to them.
Vice Pres. Sara Duterte also previously claimed her lawyers are “more than confident” to win the impeachment trial. Her legal counsels have expressed their hope that the impeachment process will not be used as a “political tool” against opponents.
Recently, the Senate Impeachment Court confirmed that the legal counsels of the Vice President have made their appearance. Vice Pres. Sara Duterte is set to be defended by 16 lawyers in her impeachment trial. The Fortun Narvasa and Salazar Law Firm submitted the appearance ad cautelam. Here are the lawyers of the Vice President in her impeachment trial:
- Philip Sigfrid A. Fortun
- Gregorio Y. Narvasa II
- Sheila C.Sison
- Carlo Joaquin T. Narvasa
- Roberto N. Batungbacal
- Justin Nicol B. Gular
- Lindon Miguel C. Bacquel
- David Ronell M. Golla VII
- Maria Selena Golda R. Fortun
- Clarlaine F. Radoc
- Francesca Marie V. Flores
- Miguel Carlos A. Fernandez
- Michael Wesley T. Poa
- Reynold S. Munsayac
- Mark C. Vinluan
- Ralph B. Bodota
However, currently, the Articles of Impeachment against Vice Pres. Duterte is surrounded by issues after the Senate impeachment court voted for its remand to the House of Representatives. Eighteen (18) senator judges agreed to return Duterte’s impeachment to the lower chamber and only five (5) senator judges voted against the remand.
YES
- Alan Peter Cayetano
- Pia Cayetano
- Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa
- JV Ejercito
- Chiz Escudero
- Jinggoy Estrada
- Bong Go
- Lito Lapid
- Loren Legarda
- Imee Marcos
- Robin Padilla
- Bong Revilla
- Francis Tolentino
- Raffy Tulfo
- Joel Villanueva
- Cynthia Villar
- Mark Villar
- Juan Miguel Zubiri
NO
- Koko Pimentel
- Risa Hontiveros
- Sherwin Gatchalian
- Grace Poe
- Nancy Binay
However, recently, it was reported that the House of Representatives allegedly rejected the entry of appearance of Vice Pres. Sara Duterte’s lawyers. Based on a report on PhilStar, the spokesperson of the lower chamber, Atty. Princess Abante, denied that the document was rejected.
According to the House Spokesperson, the document was not refused but the proper procedure had to be followed. She claimed that the document allegedly had no cover letter or a formal explanation.
“Walang tumanggi — tamang proseso lang ang sinunod… Walang cover letter, walang pormal na paliwanag. Kaya’t hindi ito agad tinanggap — hindi dahil tinanggihan, kundi dahil kailangang malinawan muna ang layunin at tamang pagproseso,” Abante said.
Based on the report, the entry of appearance of Duterte’s lawyers was delivered by a messenger to the gate of the House of Representatives in Quezon City. The House Spokesperson stressed that the document allegedly lacked credibility so the lower chamber has decided not to receive it.
“Walang masamang intensyon. Wala ring tinanggihan. Ang hinanap lang ay ang tamang pagkilala sa dokumento,” Abante added.
The lawyer who speaks for the chamber further said that an entry of appearance of the lawyers of the accused is not a requirement for an impeachment trial to proceed. According to her, it has no effect on the pacing of the trial, thus, it cannot allegedly be the reason why the trial has yet to be pushed through until now.
Amid the issues surrounding the impeachment of the Vice President, former Senate Pres. Juan Ponce Enrile stressed that the Senate should act with a “reasonable speed” on the impeachment trial. He also stressed that “forthwith” is clear in the Constitution. The former Senate President was part of two (2) impeachment trials in the past — as a senator judge in the impeachment trial of former Pres. Joseph Estrada and as presiding officer in the impeachment trial of former Justice chief Renato Corona.