The lead chairman of the House Quad Committee, which recently wrapped up its investigation into alleged extrajudicial killings (EJKs) during the previous administration, is not opposed to former President Rodrigo Duterte lawyering for Vice President Sara Duterte should impeachment complaints and other cases against her progress.
Surigao Del Norte Rep. Robert “Ace” Barbers on Thursday pointed out that the younger Duterte is well within her rights to select a legal counsel in whom she feels confident.
He was reacting to the Vice President’s statement that her father volunteered to be part of her legal team as “a collaborating counsel for all cases.”
“Anyone facing trial, especially including one facing impeachment, has the right to choose their legal counsel, and that is not only guaranteed by the Constitution but the rules of Congress as well, he said in Filipino during a TeleRadyo interview.
Still, Barbers clarified that there has been no talk of impeachment yet at the lower chamber.
“There has not been any discussion of [Duterte’s] impeachment yet. So, I don’t know what will happen when Congress resumes,” he added.
The Vice President is facing three impeachment complaints filed by militant groups, civil society organizations, lawyers and religious groups.
The Quad Committee recently recommended the filing of crimes against humanity charges against the elder Duterte, Senators Christopher Lawrence Go and Ronald Dela Rosa, and other police officials in connection with the previous administration’s drug war.
Barbers himself presented the 43-page report, which outlined the evidence, testimonies, and legislative recommendations based on the panel’s 13 hearings into the EJKs, illegal drugs, and illegal Philippine offshore gaming operators (POGOs).
Duterte potentially faces charges for violation of Section 6 of Republic Act 9851, known as the Philippine Act on Crimes Against International Humanitarian Law, Genocide, and Other Crimes Against Humanity.
The Quad Committee also recommended that charges be filed against former Philippine National Police (PNP) chiefs Oscar David Albayalde and Debold Sinas, P/Colonels Royina Garma and Edilberto Leonardo, as well as Palace aide Herminia “Muking” Espino.
Meanwhile, the Makabayan bloc, whose members endorsed one of the three complaints, criticized the former president’s inclusion in his daughter’s legal team, calling the move “nothing but a desperate political maneuver to evade accountability for her misuse of confidential funds.”
ACT Teachers party-list Rep. France Castro acknowledged that Vice President Duterte is within her rights but also called it “a desperate attempt to rally political support” if the impeachment complaints proceed.
For his part, Kabataan Party-List Rep. Raoul Manuel said, “This father-and-daughter legal team-up is nothing but political theater.”
Earlier, the Vice President denied allegations of the misuse of confidential funds allocated to her office in 2022 and 2023, saying the controversy is part of an attempt to lower her chances of winning the next presidential elections.
As this developed, the former president continued to express high hopes for his daughter’s political future.
“Thank you for standing behind us and for always supporting Inday Sara. They have been beating her up, destroying her as they are insecure of her,Who knows, if God permits, she could be your next president,” Duterte said in Cebuano during a gift-giving event at their residence in Bangkal Davao City on Christmas Day.