VP Sara denies hurling laptop at lawyer, calls rumor a smear
MANILA, Philippines — Vice President Sara Duterte has denied throwing a laptop at her lawyer and dismissed the viral rumor as a smear timed days before the House votes on her impeachment.
"Never in the history of my work have I thrown a laptop at a colleague, an employee or a lawyer," Duterte told Filipinos at The Hague, speaking in Filipino, after visiting her father at the International Criminal Court detention center.
"To be honest, this is too much of trash gossip and should not be given any attention," the vice president said.
She also quipped that while she rarely uses a laptop, what she uses is her own personal device, bought with her own money. Damaging this, she said, would only cost her.
She added that she rarely uses her laptop because she does not know how to operate a computer, and turns it on mainly for Zoom meetings.
The rumor circulated on social media this week and was mentioned by lawyer Lorna Kapunan in a May 5 DZMM interview. It alleged that Duterte hurled the laptop at her counsel, Michael Poa, in frustration over her impeachment case.
During the chance interview at The Hague, Duterte also addressed a number of questions related to the impeachment complaint against her.
She brushed off allegations that some lawmakers would refuse to vote in favor of impeachment in case she retaliates if she wins the presidency in 2028. Duterte said members of Congress must make their decision based on the weight of the evidence.
"When the complaint was filed, there was no evidence at all," she said. "They are all allegations. Nothing to support the allegations."
The House plenary is scheduled to vote on the impeachment Monday, May 11.
The articles of impeachment have been ordered distributed to lawmakers.
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