Vice President Sara Duterte on Wednesday accused those pursuing her conviction of trying to make the allegations against her stick using rhetoric rather than evidence, saying that insults and political theatrics cannot prove an impeachable offense.

Duterte said those seeking to legitimize the complaints against her should have enough confidence in their cases to rely on the evidence presented in her impeachment trial, rather than “fishing for evidence” or attempting to turn allegations into facts.

“Prove the impeachable offense. Prove it with evidence, not insults, speculation, or political theatrics. Prosecutors and members of Congress who want to legitimize the two impeachment complaints — filed without a shred of evidence — should be confident in the strength of the cases,” Duterte said in a statement.

Her remarks followed exchanges during the trial where private prosecutor Atty. Mae Divinagracia used the word “scam” to describe the handling of confidential funds, which was twice ordered stricken from the record. She also used the word “lying,” which was likewise ordered removed.

Duterte also cited National Bureau of Investigation chief Melvin Matibag’s earlier remark referring to her as a “brat” and Senator Raffy Tulfo’s description of former Office of the Vice President special disbursing officer Gina Acosta as “stupid in the name of blind loyalty.”

“Does not prove a case, nor does it produce evidence,” Duterte said of the remarks. “Insults reveal the need to feign confidence in the face of a weak presentation.”

The Vice President said the administration and members of Congress were prioritizing her impeachment while the country faces extreme flooding and poverty.

“My countrymen, the nation is sinking under floods and poverty but it looks like no one will be held accountable because the impeachment, the division of the 2027 budget, altering the Constitution to stay in power are the priorities of the administration and its allies,” she said in Filipino.