Photo credit: Congress PH

Prosecutors in the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte said Friday that the planned testimony of former Davao City court sheriff Abe Andres is intended to help establish what they described as a pattern of behavior that may be relevant to the case.

During a virtual press briefing, House trial spokespersons Lanao del Sur Rep. Zia Alonto Adiong and Atty. Benjamin Tolosa Jr., legal spokesperson for the private prosecution panel, explained why Andres was included in the prosecution's list of witnesses before the Senate impeachment court.

Andres is the court sheriff involved in a widely reported 2011 demolition incident in Davao City, during which then-Mayor Sara Duterte was seen punching him. The incident drew national attention and led Duterte to publicly apologize, although she maintained she acted out of frustration over the demolition.

Tolosa emphasized that the prosecution is not yet prepared to disclose its full trial strategy but said Philippine rules on evidence allow the presentation of witnesses to establish a person's behavioral pattern or tendency.

“Under the rules, it is allowed to present evidence to establish a behavioral pattern, to establish the propensity of a person to resort to violence, for example,” Tolosa told reporters.

He declined to elaborate further on how the witness would fit into the prosecution's case.

“I’m sure you would understand why, at this point, we can’t disclose the particular reasons why we will be presenting this witness,” Tolosa said.

Adiong said the prosecution intends to present not only documentary evidence but also testimony that could show how the Vice President has responded to situations where her authority was challenged.

“Actions and words are very apparent so far as the Vice President is concerned,” Adiong said.

He pointed to Duterte's alleged threats against President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos, and former Speaker of the House Martin Romualdez, saying these should be viewed together with previous incidents that may reveal a pattern of conduct.

“When she’s angry, she gets too volatile,” Adiong said.

The House spokesperson also cited the 2011 confrontation involving Andres as one example of what prosecutors believe reflects a broader issue.

“It also speaks about the attitude that she is – ‘yung impunity – the culture of impunity that we would try to address,” Adiong said.

According to Adiong, holding public office carries immense authority but does not place officials above the law or shield them from accountability.

“No one should be above the law. No one should have the right to take justice into their own hands,” Adiong said.

He added that such actions, if committed by a public official, undermine the public's trust in government.

“That’s already a betrayal of public trust,” Adiong said.

The inclusion of Andres comes as both the prosecution and defense continue preparing their evidence ahead of the Senate impeachment trial. The House panel has maintained that its witness list is designed to support the seven Articles of Impeachment approved by the House of Representatives, while Duterte's legal team has repeatedly denied the allegations against the Vice President and vowed to challenge the prosecution's evidence during the trial.

The Senate impeachment court is expected to resolve remaining pre-trial matters before setting the timetable for the presentation of witnesses and evidence.