‘VP’s return signals she’s ready for trial’

MANILA, Philippines —  For one lawmaker, Vice President Sara Duterte’s return to the country means she is willing to face the charges against her during the impeachment trial.

According to Batangas 2nd district Rep. Gerville Luistro, one of the 11-member House prosecution panel, the impeachment trial is the perfect place for Duterte to explain her side.

“Since we have due process, I hope she will take advantage of this opportunity to present their defense unlike in the investigation of the good government committee,” Luistro said in an interview with ANC yesterday.

Despite Sara’s return, Luistro urged Senate President Francis Escudero to resolve the House prosecution panel’s request to issue a writ of summons against the Vice President.

“I am not certain if there is an official response from Senate President Francis Escudero or was it only by way of his pronouncements before the media… if there is no official response then I wish to believe that we have reason to continue hoping that having the Vice President back in the country, around already, the Senate President might consider resolving the motion of prosecutors to issue a writ of summons considering the presence of the Vice President,” the lawmaker said.

The writ of summons will get the ball rolling for Sara’s impeachment trial and will enable her to answer the Articles of Impeachment filed against her.

In media interviews, Escudero has said that he cannot grant the House prosecutors’ request as the Senate is still in recess.

The Vice President was impeached by a vote of 215 congressmen out of 306 members of the House of Representatives on Feb. 5, for culpable violation of the Constitution, betrayal of public trust, graft and corruption and other high crimes.

Based on the Constitution, the Senate has the power to either convict or acquit Duterte.