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Advocates Philippines
'Face The Charges': Ex-FEU Law Dean Urges VP Sara To Attend Impeachment Hearings
Photo credit: Senate PH
The pressure is building for Vice President Sara Duterte—and this time, it’s coming from the legal community.
Former Far Eastern University law dean Mel Sta. Maria says it’s time for the Vice President to personally appear before the House Committee on Justice and respond to the impeachment charges filed against her.
In an interview, Sta. Maria made it clear: with testimonies and evidence now piling up, Duterte herself is in the best position to address the accusations.
“Ang daming testimonya, ang daming ebidensiya… at kung hindi totoo ang mga ito, iisa lang ang makakapagpaliwanag—si VP Sara Duterte,” he said.
For Sta. Maria, showing up isn’t just about legal procedure—it’s also about public accountability and defending her name.
“Importante ito para sa kanya, para masabi niya sa mga tao na hindi totoo ang mga kuwento,” he added, noting that whether she will attend or not remains uncertain.
The Committee on Justice, led by Batangas Rep. Gerville Luistro, had already invited Duterte to attend a recent hearing—but she did not show up. In an effort to observe due process, Luistro even called her twice during the session, but received no response.
Meanwhile, Sta. Maria also weighed in on the testimony of Ramil Madriaga, who claimed he acted as a “bagman” and bank account dummy for the Vice President and her father, former President Rodrigo Duterte.
According to the former dean, Madriaga’s statements carry weight—at least at this stage of the process.
He explained that the current goal isn’t to prove absolute guilt, but to determine “probable cause,” or the likelihood that the complaints have merit.
“This is not about moral certainty or absolute truth yet. Ang tinitingnan dito ay likelihood—may basehan ba ang mga paratang?” he said.
Sta. Maria pointed out that Madriaga’s testimony includes detailed claims—names, amounts, locations, and even references to a reported ₱125 million—elements that lawmakers may use to decide whether the case should move forward.
From that perspective, he said, the testimony may be considered “reliable” enough to meet the threshold needed to elevate the impeachment complaints to the Senate.
As the hearings continue and scrutiny intensifies, one question hangs in the air: will the Vice President step forward and answer the charges herself?
Former Far Eastern University law dean Mel Sta. Maria says it’s time for the Vice President to personally appear before the House Committee on Justice and respond to the impeachment charges filed against her.
In an interview, Sta. Maria made it clear: with testimonies and evidence now piling up, Duterte herself is in the best position to address the accusations.
“Ang daming testimonya, ang daming ebidensiya… at kung hindi totoo ang mga ito, iisa lang ang makakapagpaliwanag—si VP Sara Duterte,” he said.
For Sta. Maria, showing up isn’t just about legal procedure—it’s also about public accountability and defending her name.
“Importante ito para sa kanya, para masabi niya sa mga tao na hindi totoo ang mga kuwento,” he added, noting that whether she will attend or not remains uncertain.
The Committee on Justice, led by Batangas Rep. Gerville Luistro, had already invited Duterte to attend a recent hearing—but she did not show up. In an effort to observe due process, Luistro even called her twice during the session, but received no response.
Meanwhile, Sta. Maria also weighed in on the testimony of Ramil Madriaga, who claimed he acted as a “bagman” and bank account dummy for the Vice President and her father, former President Rodrigo Duterte.
According to the former dean, Madriaga’s statements carry weight—at least at this stage of the process.
He explained that the current goal isn’t to prove absolute guilt, but to determine “probable cause,” or the likelihood that the complaints have merit.
“This is not about moral certainty or absolute truth yet. Ang tinitingnan dito ay likelihood—may basehan ba ang mga paratang?” he said.
Sta. Maria pointed out that Madriaga’s testimony includes detailed claims—names, amounts, locations, and even references to a reported ₱125 million—elements that lawmakers may use to decide whether the case should move forward.
From that perspective, he said, the testimony may be considered “reliable” enough to meet the threshold needed to elevate the impeachment complaints to the Senate.
As the hearings continue and scrutiny intensifies, one question hangs in the air: will the Vice President step forward and answer the charges herself?
Apr 18, 2026
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