MANILA — The House prosecution panel has dismissed a rumored compromise deal that would convict Vice President Sara Duterte while sparing her from a ban on holding public office.
Atty. Benjamin “Jay” Tolosa Jr., spokesperson and member of the prosecution team, firmly opposed any arrangement that would set aside the perpetual ban. He pointed out that such a deal lacks legal footing and directly contradicts supreme law.
“That has no basis, and it’s inconsistent with the provisions of the Constitution. Which provides that if an impeachable officer is found guilty of the charges and the articles of impeachment, then she should suffer the penalties of removal from office and perpetual disqualification,” Tolosa stressed.
Tolosa cited Article XI, Section 3(7) of the 1987 Philippine Constitution, which dictates that impeachment verdicts are strictly limited to removal and disqualification from any public office under the Republic, while leaving the official vulnerable to separate criminal or civil liabilities.
The legal pushback comes as Vice President Duterte maintains her bid for the 2028 presidential elections.
Recently, the House prosecution panel officially rested its case after dropping allegations concerning grave threats, bribery, and the supposed misuse of confidential funds. The move leaves Article II as the sole remaining charge, accusing Duterte of maintaining prohibited financial and business interests while in office, failing to truthfully declare assets, and acquiring unexplained wealth.
Despite trimming the complaints down to a single article, Tolosa maintained that the core constitutional penalties remain unchanged if the Senate tribunal rules against the Vice President.
“You only need to secure conviction for one, so that we will get the penalty under the Constitution, which is removal from office and perpetual disqualification from holding public office,” Tolosa explained.
With the presentation of evidence concluded, the prosecution panel anticipates that the senator-judges will hand down a final verdict before the year concludes.