Akbayan Party-list Representative Chel Diokno clarified that his request to the House Committee on Justice was meant to safeguard evidence and secure a witness in the impeachment proceedings against Vice President Sara Duterte, not to search for new proof.
“I respect the Vice President’s opinion about the proceedings. However, my motion is clear: to preserve the documentary evidence and secure a witness so the Committee on Justice can fulfill its duty of assessing the evidence,” Diokno said.
Diokno wrote to committee chair Batangas 2nd District Representative Gerville Luistro, requesting certified true copies of Duterte’s Statement of Assets, Liabilities, and Net Worth (SALN), her bank records, and for the House to take custody of witness Ramil Madriaga to ensure his safety.
He stressed that the evidence and testimonies would help the committee determine if there are sufficient grounds for the impeachment complaints, which have already been declared sufficient in form and substance.
“The Vice President has every opportunity to refute the allegations against her by submitting her answer and evidence,” Diokno said.
“Sa huli, ang ebidensya ang magsasabi kung dapat may pananagutan. At ang impeachment proceeding ang tamang lugar para lumabas ang katotohanan,” he added.
The House Committee on Justice formally notified Duterte of the two impeachment complaints on March 5, giving her 10 days to file her response.