MANILA, Philippines – Hindi mahalaga ang opinyon ni Pangulong Ferdinand Marcos Jr. sa impeachment trial at iginiit na ang paglilitis ay dapat na pinamamahalaan ng Konstitusyon at due process, ayon kay Vice President Sara Duterte nitong Lunes, Hulyo 6.
Sa pahayag, sinabi ni Duterte na ang desisyon kung siya ay personal na tetestigo sa Senate impeachment court ay usapin ng legal strategy at constitutional rights.
“The opinion of a President in an impeachment proceeding is of no importance. Impeachment proceedings must be guided by the Constitution and due process. The respondent has the right to be represented by counsel, and the decision to personally testify is a matter of legal strategy and constitutional rights,” ani Duterte.
Nag-isyu si Duterte ng pahayag matapos sabihin ni Marcos na naniniwala siyang dapat na personal na humarap si Duterte sa impeachment court.
Nasa prosekusyon pa rin ang tungkulin na patunayan ang kaso, anang Bise Presidente.
“Choosing to appear through counsel rather than testify personally does not diminish accountability or imply a lack of transparency. The integrity of an impeachment trial depends on adherence to the rule of law—not on whether the respondent personally takes the stand,” dagdag niya.
“At all times, public officials are best served by keeping their personal opinions to themselves and relying instead on the law, established policies, scientific evidence, and objective facts when addressing matters of public concern.” RNT/JGC
