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IMPEACHMENT TRIAL TESTS VP SARA’S FITNESS FOR OFFICE, NOT CRIMINAL GUILT – HOUSE PROSECUTORS

admin July 17, 2026

THE House prosecution on Wednesday emphasized that the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Z. Duterte is not a criminal proceeding requiring proof beyond reasonable doubt, but a constitutional process aimed at determining whether her conduct meets the standards expected of an impeachable public official.

House trial spokesperson and Lanao del Sur Rep. Zia Alonto Adiong said the Senate impeachment court’s task is to evaluate the Vice President’s conduct, statements and judgment in deciding whether she remains fit to hold office.

“Dito po sa impeachment trial na ito, ang tine-test po natin is ‘yung conduct, ‘yung pananalita, ‘yung galaw, ‘yung pag-iisip, ‘yung restraint,” Alonto Adiong said during a press briefing.

He said impeachment differs fundamentally from a criminal prosecution because its focus is accountability in public office rather than criminal liability.

Impeachment prosecutor and San Juan City Rep. Ysabel Maria Zamora likewise urged the Senate impeachment court to distinguish constitutional accountability from criminal prosecution.

“Ibalik po natin lagi sa impeachable offenses na ito ay isang impeachment case. Hindi po ito isang criminal case. Kaya po huwag natin hanapin ang mga elemento ng isang krimen,” Zamora said.

She said the central question before the impeachment court is whether Duterte’s actions and public statements demonstrate that she remains fit to continue serving as the country’s second-highest elected official.

“Ang hahanapin po natin ay yung fitness ng isang impeachable official na manatili sa pwesto. ‘Yung pananalita ba niya doon sa online press conference niya, ito ba ay mga words na gusto nating naririnig sa ating second-highest official? Again, babalik tayo sa fitness po ng ating Vice President to remain or to be the Vice President,” Zamora said.