game ape Panelo: Sara Duterte will face Senate trial ‘smilingly, competently’

Atty. Salvador Panelo. —INQUIRER.net/Faith Argosino

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MANILA, Philippines — One of the staunchest allies of Vice President Sara Duterte described her impeachment on Wednesday as a process “railroaded” by the House of Representatives, but expressed confidence she would be able to face the Senate trial with her head held up high.

Salvador Panelo, chief legal counsel during the Duterte administration, said the Vice President’s lawyers, whom he did not name, are “ready for an impeachment trial.”

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“She will face the impeachment—smilingly, courageously, and competently,” Panelo told the Inquirer in a Viber message.

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Duterte herself has yet to issue a statement on her impeachment at press time.

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“As I have repeatedly stated, the purpose is to destroy and besmirch the reputation of VP Sara with the ultimate goal of disqualifying her from the 2028 presidential elections, being the leading contender,” said Panelo, who touted himself as being Duterte’s longtime defender since her years as Davao City mayor.

Article continues after this advertisement ‘Voice of the people’

He also criticized the House members, most of whom had allied themselves with Sara’s father, former President Rodrigo Duterte, during his term, for not heeding the “overwhelming voice of the people” opposing the Vice President’s impeachment.

Panelo was apparently referring to the Jan. 13 “Rally for Peace” held nationwide by the influential sect Iglesia Ni Cristo (INC).

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He said the lawmakers’ decision also contradicted the stated position of President Marcos against pursuing “such a divisive and nonproductive political endeavor that does not benefit a single Filipino.”

“Their move will only galvanize the support of the Filipino people on VP Sara, and will fan the flames of disgust and rage against their willful and brazen violation of the guarantees enshrined in the Constitution,” Panelo said.

House ‘cunning’

Sen. Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa, one of Duterte’s allies in the Senate, accused the House of deception for impeaching the Vice President on the last day of the regular session of the 19th Congress before it takes a break for the midterm elections in May.

Dela Rosa, who is seeking reelection, also noted that the House decided to transmit the articles of impeachment to the Senate just a few days before the official campaign period starts on Feb. 11.

“They are cunning. They will take us hostage as we sit as judges of the (Senate) impeachment court while they hit the campaign trail,” Dela Rosa told reporters.

“I have been expecting this to happen. I saw their efforts to impeach the Vice President,” he said.

According to Dela Rosa, he and several of his colleagues agreed that the Senate may have to wait until the resumption of their regular session in June before they convene as judges of the impeachment court.

Up to voters

The senator said he would leave his fate to the voters as he acknowledged that the development may affect his chances of winning a second term.

Despite his close relations with the Vice President and her father, he insisted that he would be an impartial senator-judge.

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“It’s up to you how you perceive me. But I will still maintain my political neutrality. Just wait for my vote,” Dela Rosa said.

“I’m not denying that I’m close with the President and I’m identified with the Dutertesgame ape, but my decision will be made once I have studied the articles of impeachment and (after) the prosecution (team) has presented their case,” he said. “I will be apolitical.”

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