Abante thinks it’s time to seek subpoena for Duterte to attend trial

MANILA, Philippines — It might be the right time to ask the Senate Impeachment Court to issue a subpoena against Vice President Sara Duterte to compel her to attend her trial and finally address the allegations against her.

This is what Manila Rep. Bienvenido Abante Jr. said in an online press briefing on Friday.

The lawmaker believes that, instead of calling for other non-impeachable officers to attend the impeachment trial, Duterte herself should be subpoenaed and explain what happened to the confidential funds (CF).

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The non-impeachable officers Abante is referring to are former Vice Presidential Security and Protection Group (VPSPG) officials Col. Raymund Dante Lachica and Col. Dennis Nolasco

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“For me, they want us to call witnesses who are non-impeachable officers. Why not seek a subpoena for the impeachable officer herself?” Abante asked.

“Ask for a subpoena for Vice President Sara Duterte so that she will face these issues,” he continued.

“That’s what I have been saying. If she does not deserve to be impeached, she should address all the allegations, and say whether she should be impeached or not,” he added.

When asked to clarify whether a possible request for Duterte’s subpoena indicates that she will be called to the witness stand, Abante said it is his opinion that the vice president should be called to the court.

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The lawmaker told the media that Duterte testifying in the trial will be a chance for her to defend herself.

A possible Duterte testimony will also be important, Abante said, because several witnesses close to the vice president have already said that they know nothing about the confidential expenditures made by the Office of the Vice President (OVP) and the Department of Education (DepEd).

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“For me, that is what it should be. This will also be good for her because she will be able to answer all the allegations against her,” he said.

“What did the witnesses say? Ms. Gina (Acosta) already did all that she can do. (Lemuel) Ortonio did the same. They explained their side. Atty. (Michael) Poa also explained. So who else should we invite?” Abante asked.

“We really have to subpoena the vice president. She herself should face it,” said the legislator.

“And if she is issued a subpoena, this does not mean she is guilty already. We’re not actually saying that she is guilty. We are not talking about her criminal liability here,” he explained.

Prosecution spokesperson and impeachment advisor Robert Ace Barbers clarified later on that the panel is still considering what particular Article of Impeachment Duterte will be called for.

“The prosecution panel is discussing this, because she is ably represented by her 16 lawyers,” Barbers noted.

“If her presence is really required and answers are not being given from questions that are left hanging,  maybe that’s the time that we will ask for the court to subpoena her,” he said.

Abante has been insistent about Duterte needing to attend the impeachment trial. 

Last August 17, Abante said that, instead of letting her staff members explain how CFs were released and spent, Duterte herself should show up and address the issues hurled at her offices.

READ: Abante tells Sara Duterte: ‘Pity your staff, show up’

According to Abante, if Duterte is able to attend the proceedings for her perjury charge against ex-aide Ramil Madriaga, and the arraignment of brother Davao City Rep. Paolo Duterte for his grave threats case, the vice president should also make time for the impeachment trial.

Abante thinks Duterte should not let her staffers alone be grilled.

READ: Sara Duterte files another perjury complaint vs Madriaga 

Earlier, the prosecution panel for Duterte’s impeachment trial said it would no longer call to the witness stand three individuals believed to be capable of delivering key testimonies.

The team members believe they have already established a strong case.

In an online press briefing on Friday, Barbers said they will not call Lachica, Nolasco, as well as former Duterte aide Ramil Madriaga, believing that the three requirements under Article I of the Articles of Impeachment have been met.

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Article I deals with the alleged misuse of CF lodged within Duterte’s offices, P500 million with the Office of the Vice President (OVP) from 2022 to 2023, and P112.5 million with the Department of Education for the first three quarters of 2023. /apl