Iloilo 3rd District Representative Lorenz Defensor stated that Vice President Sara Duterte’s refusal to participate in the impeachment proceedings significantly weakened her position.
According to Defensor, the House Committee on Justice extended multiple invitations to the Vice President to address the allegations leveled against her, but these were consistently ignored.
“Marami na siyang pagkakataon pero hindi niya ito ginamit para humarap sa komite,” Defensor noted.
The lawmaker also pointed out that her earlier declaration regarding the 2028 presidential elections added weight to the proceedings, especially given her previous standing in public opinion polls.
“Noong inihayag niya ang planong pagkapangulo, lalo itong naging malaking isyu dahil malakas pa siya sa mga survey noon,” he added.
Defensor observed that instead of clarifying the issues, the Vice President’s camp opted for silence and non-appearance throughout the hearings.
“Mas pinili nilang umiwas kaysa ipaliwanag ang kanilang panig sa komite,” he remarked.
This strategy reportedly eased the political pressure on House members who might have otherwise opposed the impeachment report.
Defensor suggested that had the Vice President’s team presented a formal defense, the outcome of the voting might have been different.
“Kung naipaliwanag nila nang direkta sa komite, maaaring nagdalawang-isip pa ang ilang mambabatas,” he concluded.