MANILA, Philippines – Ang paglalabas ng warrant of arrest laban kay Vice President Sara Duterte kaugnay sa kanyang pahayag online na ipapapatay si Pangulong Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr., First Lady Liza Marcos, at Leyte Rep. Martin Romualdez ay nagpapakita ng sapat na batayan sa kasong grave threats na inihain laban sa kanya, ayon kay Lanao Del Sur Rep. Zia Alonto Adiong, spokesperson para sa House impeachment prosecution panel.
Matatandaan na nitong Biyernes, Setyembre 4 ay nagpalabas ang Quezon City Regional Trial Court ng warrant of arrest para sa three counts ng grave threats na inihain ng Department of Justice laban sa Bise Presidente.
“The issuance of an arrest warrant is not a finding of guilt. Due process must be observed at every stage,” saad sa pahayag ni Adiong.
“A court, however, does not issue a warrant without probable cause. That determination has now been made,” dagdag pa niya.
Iginiit naman ni Bicol Saro party-list Rep. Terry Ridon na sa kabila nito, ang warrant ay hindi indikasyon ng kanyang pagiging guilty.
“The issuance of the warrant is not, by itself, a determination of guilt. The Vice President will have every opportunity to present her defenses before the proper court,” ani Ridon.
“We take note of the statement that Vice President Sara Duterte has no intention of evading the law and will avail herself of the legal remedies available to her,” dagdag pa niya.
Aniya, ang kaso sa QC RTC ay hiwalay sa impeachment proceedings.
“The impeachment proceedings are a separate constitutional accountability process. The Senate Impeachment Court will independently determine the matters properly before it,” sinabi ni Ridon.
“No one should prejudge either proceeding. The courts and the Impeachment Court should be allowed to perform their respective constitutional duties.” RNT/JGC
