MANILA, Philippines – Dismayado si Cagayan de Oro Rep. Rufus Rodriguez sa 16-lawyer defense team ni Vice President Sara Duterte na wala umanong ginawa para sagutin ang mga seryosong akusasyon sa impeachment case.
“I have read the Consolidated Verified Answer Ad Cautelam and certainly I would express my disappointment with the legal team of the Vice President, who has 16 lawyers who have signed this particular answer,” pahayag ni Rodriguez sa pagdinig ng House Committee on Justice.
Ayon kay Rodriguez, dating dean ng San Sebastian College of Law, ang defense team ni Duterte ay mula sa law firm na Fortun Narvasa & Salazar kung saan kabilang ang senior lawyers na sina Philip Sigfrid Fortun at Gregorio Narvasa II.
“Despite the size and experience of Duterte’s defense team, the submission did not meet basic expectations for responding to serious charges,” ani Rodriguez, na nagsabing dapat isa-isang sinagot ang mga alegasyon.
“In this case, there is no answer to the six grounds of the third complaint, and also no direct answer to the five grounds. I am surprised that in this particular instance, there is no discussion per ground, and therefore would not give us the real answer of the respondent to the six and five grounds,” ani Rodriguez.
Ipinaliwanag ni Rodriguez na dalawang isyu lamang ang sinagot sa impeachment complaint—ang ₱125 million confidential funds at pagbabanta kay Pangulong Bongbong Marcos—gayunpaman, hindi umano sapat ang naging tugon.
“I have heard the Vice President say that Mary Grace Piattos will be explained, the 11 days will be explained of the 125 million, but unfortunately, it’s not here,” ani Rodriguez.
Giit ni Rodriguez, sa naging pagtugon ng kampo ni Duterte sa mga isyu ay lumalabas na may sufficient grounds para ituloy sa trial ang impeachment. Gail Mendoza
