House Deputy Majority Leader Lorenz Defensor has rejected Vice President Sara Duterte’s description of the impending impeachment trial as a “bloodbath,” saying the proceeding is not about spectacle or animosity, but about truth and accountability.
Defensor, a key member of the House prosecution panel, said both sides—prosecution and defense—should be fully prepared to present their case before the Senate, which will convene as an impeachment court once the 20th Congress opens.
This, he said, will make it easier for the public to accept the outcome, whether it results in Duterte’s conviction or acquittal.
“It might be good to say that this impeachment trial is a case of ‘winner takes it all.’ It doesn’t have to be a bloodbath. What we want is a clear presentation of the evidence by both the prosecution and defense teams,” Defensor told a radio interview.
“I want to see that the Vice President is prepared in case she gets acquitted… so that it will be easier for the public to accept, and easier for the 215 members of Congress who signed the impeachment complaint to accept as well. And I hope our Supreme Court doesn’t interfere with the impeachment. This is a purely political process,” he added.
The House of Representatives, voting overwhelmingly before adjourning in February, approved the Articles of Impeachment against Duterte.
The complaint accuses her of culpable violation of the Constitution and betrayal of public trust, citing her alleged misuse of confidential funds under the Office of the Vice President during her concurrent tenure as Education Secretary, her defiance of congressional oversight, and her failure to uphold civilian supremacy over the police and military.
Defensor pointed out that the impeachment of a high-ranking official is not a judicial proceeding, but a political one, governed by the Constitution and entrusted solely to the legislative branch.
“It is a political question that must be answered by the elected senators and congressmen, and the Supreme Court should not interfere,” the lawmaker emphasized.
“If there is no grave abuse of discretion on the part of the House or the Senate, I am confident that our Supreme Court will respect the separation of powers,” Defensor added.
The House has already transmitted the Articles of Impeachment to the Senate, and Defensor said there is no more room for a motion to dismiss or a withdrawal of the case.
He also addressed speculation that some lawmakers might try to withdraw support for the complaint or file a motion to pull it out. He dismissed such scenarios as unlikely and damaging to the credibility of the impeachment process.
Asked about Duterte’s assertion that the prosecution has no solid evidence against her, Defensor said the House panel is confident in the strength of its case.
“We are confident, that’s why I say that instead of a bloodbath, we want winner takes all,” he noted.
Defensor explained that impeachment trials do not follow the strict evidentiary standards of criminal or civil cases. Instead, senator-judges must rely on their conscience and judgment in weighing the evidence presented.
As for the pending petition filed by Duterte’s camp before the Supreme Court to stop the trial, Defensor maintained that the High Tribunal should steer clear of the impeachment process unless there is a clear abuse of discretion by Congress.