MANILA, Philippines — Vice President Sara Duterte on Wednesday hit back at Lorna Kapunan, a private prosecutor assisting the House of Representatives in her impeachment trial, after the lawyer called her lead defense counsel Shiela Sison a bully.
In a statement, Duterte accused her critics of using political power to pursue impeachment allegations that she said had not been substantiated by compelling evidence, questioning the House use of its subpoena powers and the subsequent transmission of the Articles of Impeachment to the Senate.
“You started impeachment with allegations but failed to establish them with compelling evidence,” Duterte said, challenging her accusers to produce proof to support their claims.
Duterte accused Kapunan and her allies of vilifying the defense counsel for challenging the impeachment allegations against her, arguing that the lawyer was merely doing her job in the face of overwhelming political power.
“A defense counsel does not become a bully simply because she refuses to let your accusations go unchallenged,” Duterte said.
The Manila Times has sought comment from the House prosecution panel on Duterte’s statement but had yet to receive a reply as of posting time.
