MANILA – Vice President Sara Duterte-Carpio said an impeachment trial will serve as an opportunity for her to address all the accusations against her.
In a media interview in Davao City, Duterte-Carpio said that while the impeachment complaints may be an inconvenience, it would be a way for her to set the record straight.
“Para sa akin, kapag may impeachment complaint, that would be a way or avenue na maayos kong masagot kung ano man ‘yung accusations sa akin dahil mayroon kasing rules ang impeachment,” Duterte-Carpio said.
“Nalalatag ng maayos ‘yung accusations at ‘yung sagot ng tao. It is an inconvenience, dahil siyempre pag mayroong impeachment complaint, mayroong mga lawyers at mayroong support staff na kailangan i-hire, at kailangan bayaran ang professional fees. But otherwise, sa tingin ko naman, okay ito kasi nakakasagot ng maayos sa accusation,” she added.
Duterte-Carpio is facing two impeachment complaints, which were endorsed by Akbayan Party-list Rep. Perci Cendaña, and the second was backed by Makabayan bloc lawmakers.
Based on the complaints, among the impeachable offenses cited is betrayal of public trust after the Vice President allegedly committed gross abuse of discretionary powers” over the P612.5 million confidential funds of the Office of the Vice President and the Department of Education.
Duterte-Carpio shared that her lawyers are on standby once they receive the articles of impeachment.
“Ang arrangement kasi with the lawyers is that mag-a-activate lang yung pag-onboard nila once na matanggap ko na yung articles of impeachment. So, hindi ko pa siya natatanggap, hindi pa ako binibigyan officially ng copy noon,” she said.
“So wala pang official professional arrangements with the lawyers, pero on standby sila. Hindi ko na lang pangalanan, but in the coming days, kung ano man yung mangyari, malalaman din natin kung sino sila,” she added./PN
