Ex-Pres. Duterte to lawyer for daughter’s impeachment cases
Metro Manila, Philippines - Former President Rodrigo Duterte will be one of the counsels for his daughter, Vice President Sara Duterte, in her impeachment cases.
The vice president is facing complaints seeking to oust her based on betrayal of public trust and graft and corruption, among others.
Duterte said her father offered financial support, but she declined.
“Sabi niya na since hindi ko tatanggapin ‘yung pera, mag-lawyer siya para sa akin. So, sinabi niya he will collaborate. He will be collaborating counsel for all cases,” the younger Duterte said in a chance interview.
[Translation: He said since I am not accepting the money, he will lawyer for me. So, he said, he will collaborate.]
“He will be one of the lawyers for all the cases. He’s preparing his documents sa IBP [before the Integrated Bar of the Philippines] so that he can sign as a lawyer of good standing,” she added.
Meanwhile, the Makabayan bloc party-list representatives, who endorsed one of the complaints, called the move a “desperate political maneuver.”
"Dapat problemahin ng mga Duterte ang pananagutan sa kani-kanilang mga krimen [The Dutertes should be accountable for their respective crimes]. The vice president seems to assume her father is free to defend her, forgetting that he himself faces potential charges for violations of International Humanitarian Law, whether in local courts as per the quadripartite committee's recommendation or at the International Criminal Court," Gabriela Rep. Arlene Brosas said.
The quad committee recommended the filing of charges of crimes against humanity against Duterte over his bloody war on drugs.
"This father and daughter legal team-up is nothing but political theater,” Kabataan Rep. Raoul Manuel said.
The two lawmakers and ACT Teachers Rep. France Castro urged the vice president to face allegations against her.
Duterte has been the subject of the House good government and public accountability inquiry for her supposed misuse of P612.5 million in confidential funds.
