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Advocates Philippines
Barbers Says VP Duterte Impeachment Is About Accountability, Not Politics
Photo credit: Congress PH
The impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte is not a political showdown or a battle of personalities, but a constitutional process designed to uphold public accountability, according to House prosecution spokesperson and adviser Robert Ace Barbers.
Speaking to reporters on Tuesday, Barbers said the impeachment proceedings should be viewed as a responsibility assigned by the Constitution, with the House of Representatives tasked to initiate the case and the Senate serving as the impeachment court that will ultimately decide the outcome.
He stressed that the public should understand the trial is about determining accountability under the Constitution rather than advancing political interests.
Barbers also emphasized the importance of the prosecution's presentation of evidence, saying it will provide both the senator-judges and the public with the information needed to evaluate the allegations against the Vice President. He said the testimony of witnesses and documentary evidence are intended to establish the facts behind the charges, including the allegation of grave threats and the claim of betrayal of public trust.
The House prosecution panel opened its case by presenting evidence related to the article accusing Duterte of making alleged threats against President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos, and former Speaker of the House Martin Romualdez. The case is supported by video recordings and witness testimony.
Barbers urged Filipinos to closely follow the impeachment trial and reserve judgment until all of the prosecution's evidence has been presented. He said opinions should be based on the evidence introduced during the proceedings rather than statements made by opposing political camps.
According to Barbers, the video evidence plays a key role in the case because it allegedly contains statements and threats that the prosecution believes are inappropriate for a public official and may constitute violations of the law. He added that it will ultimately be up to the senator-judges to assess the evidence and decide the case based on the facts presented during the trial.
Speaking to reporters on Tuesday, Barbers said the impeachment proceedings should be viewed as a responsibility assigned by the Constitution, with the House of Representatives tasked to initiate the case and the Senate serving as the impeachment court that will ultimately decide the outcome.
He stressed that the public should understand the trial is about determining accountability under the Constitution rather than advancing political interests.
Barbers also emphasized the importance of the prosecution's presentation of evidence, saying it will provide both the senator-judges and the public with the information needed to evaluate the allegations against the Vice President. He said the testimony of witnesses and documentary evidence are intended to establish the facts behind the charges, including the allegation of grave threats and the claim of betrayal of public trust.
The House prosecution panel opened its case by presenting evidence related to the article accusing Duterte of making alleged threats against President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos, and former Speaker of the House Martin Romualdez. The case is supported by video recordings and witness testimony.
Barbers urged Filipinos to closely follow the impeachment trial and reserve judgment until all of the prosecution's evidence has been presented. He said opinions should be based on the evidence introduced during the proceedings rather than statements made by opposing political camps.
According to Barbers, the video evidence plays a key role in the case because it allegedly contains statements and threats that the prosecution believes are inappropriate for a public official and may constitute violations of the law. He added that it will ultimately be up to the senator-judges to assess the evidence and decide the case based on the facts presented during the trial.
Jul 8, 2026
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