Former Surigao del Norte 2nd District Representative Robert Ace Barbers dismissed allegations that criminal charges against certain senators were manufactured to bar them from voting in Vice President Sara Duterte’s impeachment trial and lower the required threshold for conviction.
Barbers, serving as an adviser to the prosecution panel, asserted that legal proceedings involving individual lawmakers must be evaluated strictly on merit and available evidence, rather than dismissed as a coordinated attempt by the administration to influence the outcome of the trial.
“All these things are not fabricated. Parang sinisisi pa ’yung gobyerno na kaya merong mga kasong ganito, eh dahil inimbento against you,” he stated during an online media briefing on Friday, September 19.
While acknowledging that the simultaneous timing of the impeachment proceedings and ongoing criminal cases against senator-judges could draw public scrutiny, Barbers maintained that legal issues must be addressed through proper judicial channels.
“Sa tingin ko, wrong timing na merong sabay na impeachment trial at meron kang kasong kinakaharap,” the former representative said.
“But the issue of ’yung kaso mo ba ay gawa-gawa o hindi, siguro, madedepende ito doon sa ebidensyang ilalatag against you,” Barbers added.
His statements addressed concerns raised by the Vice President’s legal team regarding a proposed dynamic voting denominator.
Duterte’s spokesperson, Atty. Paolo Panelo, previously warned that adjusting the fixed 16-vote requirement downward from the complete 24-member Senate roster might create incentives for political figures to pursue charges against senators leaning toward acquittal.
Among those facing legal action is Senator Rodante Marcoleta, who remains in detention over a ₱75-million plunder charge tied to alleged campaign funds ahead of the 2025 elections.
Marcoleta, who maintains his innocence and has filed for bail, was cited by Barbers as a primary example to refute claims of state-sponsored case fabrication aimed at swaying the impeachment proceedings.