MANILA, Philippines — Vice President Sara Duterte has fired back at prosecution panel member Atty. Lorna Kapunan after the latter branded defense lead counsel Atty. Sheila Sison as a “bully” and “disrespectful.”
In a statement issued on Wednesday, October 14, Duterte came to Sison’s defense, comparing Kapunan’s remarks to an unfair inversion of the biblical story of David and Goliath.
“Lorna Kapunan calling a defense counsel a bully is like calling David the aggressor against Goliath,” Duterte said. “It is a convenient way to vilify the person defending against an overwhelming display of political power.”
The word war stems from statements made on Tuesday, October 13, when Kapunan criticized Sison’s conduct during the ongoing impeachment trial. Kapunan accused the defense lawyer of being disrespectful toward the prosecution team and the senator-judges by repeatedly invoking terms such as “persecution” and “denial of due process.”
The exchange highlights rising tensions as the defense prepares to present its evidence following the prosecution’s decision to rest its case.
Aside from the legal clash, Duterte questioned the strength of the evidence brought forward by the House of Representatives, pointing out that the prosecution relied heavily on intimidation and threats rather than solid proof.
“You threatened, intimidated, and hauled OVP personnel to detention,” Duterte stated. “You started impeachment with allegations but failed to establish them with compelling evidence. You wielded the subpoena powers of the House of Representatives, yet failed to produce what was needed to substantiate your accusations.”
She added that the prosecution brought the Articles of Impeachment to the Senate in hopes that the trial proceedings would fill the evidentiary gaps, challenging them directly by asking, “After all that, where is the evidence?”
The Vice President also raised alarms regarding alleged political maneuvering and cash distribution tied to the proposed 2027 national budget, questioning whether public resources are being leveraged to influence senator-judges or reward House members.
Despite these claims, the statement did not name specific individuals involved or provide further documentation.
Duterte emphasized that Sison has no connection to these alleged political dealings and is merely fulfilling her professional duties alongside a defense team that has worked tirelessly since 2023 to prepare their case.
“And what exactly is the defense counsel’s role in these alleged political transactions? None. She is simply doing her job,” Duterte said.