Sara: Prove claims with evidence, not insults

MANILA, Philippines — Vice President Sara Duterte dared the House prosecution team to prove the allegations against her with evidence after a private prosecutor used loaded words during the impeachment trial.

“Prove the impeachable offense. Prove it with evidence – not insults, speculation or political theatrics,” Duterte said.?

Duterte issued the statement after the Senate court struck off the record private prosecutor Mae Divinagracia’s remarks calling the Vice President the “architect” or “mastermind” of the alleged “scam” regarding confidential funds misuse.?

Duterte also reacted after Sen. Raffy Tulfo described former Office of the Vice President special disbursing officer Gina Acosta as “stupid in the name of blind loyalty.”

Meanwhile, the defense team said the Department of Budget and Management does not require a physical and financial plan (PFP) to be attached to the request for confidential funds.

The defense made the clarification after a witness testified on Tuesday that the OVP requested P250 million in confidential funds before it even prepared a PFP or the plan on how to spend it.