MANILA, Philippines 鈥� Vice President Sara Duterte鈥檚 concerns relating to the case of her father鈥攆ormer President Rodrigo Duterte鈥攂efore the International Criminal Court (ICC) are understandable, but she also needs to tend to her duty here in the Philippines and be ready to face her looming Senate impeachment trial, a House impeachment prosecutor on Wednesday.
鈥淏eing the vice president, while you have a father to take care, you also have a nation to look after and a nation you have to see that you are accountable for your actions,鈥� said Iloilo Rep. Lorenz Defensor in a statement.
Defensor reiterated to the vice president that facing the impeachment complaints against her means she would have the chance to defend herself before a Senate impeachment court.
鈥淭alagang lahat ng mga pamilya na involved sa nangyayari sa ating bansa ay nakakaranas ng kahirapan. Pero tandaan din natin na ang mga pamilya na naging biktima ng drug war lalo鈥檛 lalo na 鈥檡ung mga walang kasalanan ay nakalagay din sa sitwasyon na mas malala,鈥� he said.
(Indeed, all families involved in what is happening in our country are experiencing hardship. But let us also remember that families who have been victims of the drug war, especially the innocent ones. They are also in a bad situation.)
On Tuesday, the House prosecution team asked Senate President Francis Escudero to require the VP to answer the impeachment complaint filed against her by the House of Representatives in February.
Duterte is currently in the Netherlands, coordinating with the defense team of his father who was detained at the ICC headquarters and preparing for the September 23 confirmation of charges hearing.