Vice President Sara Duterte said the House of Representatives should wait until Monday to know whether she will file her response to the two impeachment complaints lodged against her.
“Malapit naman ang Monday no? Hintayin natin kung magfa-file ako o hindi. Hintay na lang sila na mga taga-House of Representatives,” Duterte said in a media interview in Davao City.
She also noted it was her first time hearing that a respondent’s choice of legal counsel could be questioned.
“Ngayon ko lang narinig yung respondent ay hindi pinapayagan kung sino ang kanyang lawyers. Ngayon lang ako nakarinig ng circumstance na hindi pinapayagan ang respondent kung sino ang pinipili niya na lawyers. Hintayin na lang natin kung ano ang mangyayari,” she added.
Bicol Saro Party-list Representative Terry Ridon previously said the House Committee on Justice will discuss a possible conflict of interest involving two of Duterte’s lawyers—former Education Assistant Secretary for Procurement Reynold Munsayac and former Department of Education spokesperson Michael Poa—during its March 18 hearing.
Asked about speculation that the impeachment issue could involve another “maleta”—a term used by former Marines to describe alleged bribe money carried in luggage—Duterte responded with a quip:
“Antayin natin tapos kunan natin ng pictures tapos ilabas na naman natin ang pictures tapos ilabas na naman natin yung pictures kung mayroong bagong maletas na lalabas.”