MANILA, Philippines — The camp of Vice President Sara Duterte on Saturday accused the House prosecution panel of peddling “half-truths and malicious speculation” in its efforts to build an impeachment case against her.
In a statement, Duterte spokesman Salvador Paolo Panelo Jr. said prosecutors were disregarding due process and fairness by trying to sway public opinion through press briefings and interviews.
“We apparently live in two worlds. One where due process and fairness still reign — where an accused is not condemned before she is heard, and where allegations must be proven with clear and convincing evidence presented in court,” Panelo said.
“One world seeks the truth. The other desperately tries to persuade an increasingly skeptical public with asinine sound bites built on half-truths and malicious speculation,” he said.
He claimed the prosecution had failed to prove its allegations against the Vice President, criticizing lead private prosecutor Lorna Kapunan and her colleagues for what he described as “asinine sound bites.”
“The prosecution had its chance. It failed. On Monday, the Vice President begins her defense,” Panelo said.
The impeachment trial will resume on Monday, Nov. 9.
