VP Sara urges respect for Senate vote archiving impeachment

Vice President Sara Duterte has called on the public to respect the Senate's decision to archive the articles of impeachment against her, following a Supreme Court ruling declaring the proceedings unconstitutional.

"Kailangan nating igalang ang papel ng Senado ng Pilipinas dito sa ating bansa. So, kung 'yan ang desisyon sa majority sa members of the Senate, everyone must follow and respect that decision," Duterte said in an ambush interview Thursday night at San Pedro Cathedral in Davao City.

Duterte admitted she did not expect the outcome but emphasized that her defense team was prepared for all possibilities.

"Sa totoo lang, wala naman kaming isang partikular na inaasahan. Lahat ng posibleng mangyari ay pinaghahandaan talaga ng aming defense team. At itong nangyari ngayon sa Senado na in-archive nila ang impeachment complaint ay isa sa mga posibleng mangyari. As I said, we need to respect the decision of the Senate," she said.

"Gaya ng sinabi ko, diba, gusto ko talaga ng bloodbath. Ibig sabihin, gusto ko sanang mailabas lahat ng ebidensya mula sa prosecution at lahat ng ebidensya mula sa defense para makita ng lahat. Pero sa kasamaang-palad, hindi na iyon mangyayari sa ngayon. At siyempre, gaya ng sinabi ko, kailangan paghandaan ang lahat ng posibleng mangyari. Posibleng sa 2026, 2027, o 2028 ay may maghain na naman ng impeachment complaint, at iyon ay panibagong pagkakataon para makasagot," she added.

On Wednesday, 19 senators voted in favor of archiving the complaint, four opposed, and one abstained.

The House of Representatives impeached Duterte on 5 February, with 215 lawmakers voting to adopt the articles of impeachment. She was accused of betrayal of public trust, culpable violation of the Constitution, graft and corruption, and other high crimes, including the alleged misuse of P612.5 million in confidential and intelligence funds of the Office of the Vice President and the Department of Education.

Duterte also addressed a separate claim made by Palace Press Officer Claire Castro regarding a trip to Kuwait.

"Wala po ba tayong video recording, statement na galing talaga sa kanya [Castro]? Gusto ko lang iklaro kasi hindi ko nakita. So yes, ang Office of the President and PCO [Presidential Communications Office], sila lagi nagsasabi na dapat hindi tayo nagpapakalat ng disinformation at fake news, at hindi po yun totoo na pumunta ako ng Kuwait without a travel authority," Duterte said.

"Gumawa na naman sila ng kuwento na umalis ako ng bansa nang walang travel authority para doon na naman matutok ang buong attention ng mga tao at matuloy na naman ‘yung lagi nilang paninira sa akin. Ang tawag ko diyan ay political scapegoating," the Vice President added.