House panel criticizes VP Sara Duterte's 'selective' appearance at court hearings

House prosecutors criticized Vice President Sara Duterte on Friday over her "selective attendance," pointing out that while she made time to support her brother during his arraignment, she has consistently avoided facing the allegations in her own impeachment proceedings.

Rep. Terry Ridon of the Bicol Saro Party-list, speaking on behalf of the prosecution team, noted that while Duterte was under no obligation to attend her brother's hearing, her duty to address the grave threats case before the Senate impeachment court should have taken priority.

"Mayroon pong selective attendance ang Pangalawang Pangulo," Ridon said. "Of course, the proceedings of her brother matter kasi syempre kapatid niya ho 'yon. Pero I think the more important proceeding for her would be her own grave threats proceeding at the Senate impeachment court—tapos na ho 'yon ngayon and she did not attend it."

Ridon argued that if the Vice President truly believed the accusations against her were unfounded, she would have confronted her accusers directly in court—drawing a contrast with former Chief Justice Renato Corona during his 2012 impeachment trial.

"Ang totoo po, kung mayroon siyang righteous indignation dito po sa proceedings na ginaganap ho laban sa kanya, she should be there to look at the prosecutors in the eye na, 'Mga sinungaling kayong lahat, walang batayan 'yung kaso ninyo,'" Ridon added. "But she hasn't done it. Chief Justice Corona did it."

Echoing Ridon’s sentiments, fellow prosecutor Zia Adiong acknowledged the family ties involved but stressed that public accountability must not take a back seat.

"May mga kapatid tayo, so we understand if the Vice President felt the need to perform her obligation to her sibling by being present during the arraignment," Adiong said. "But the way that she displayed her loyalty or her obligation to her sibling should also equate the obligation that she needs to perform by facing the charges hurdled against her. 'Yung obligasyon niya naman sa taong bayan, hindi ho natin nakita 'yon dahil hindi po siya pumupunta."

The criticism followed Duterte’s appearance alongside her brother, Davao City Rep. Paolo “Pulong” Duterte, at his Aug. 13 arraignment in a Davao City Regional Trial Court. The lawmaker is facing grave threats charges filed by businessman Kristone John Patria.

-Paraluman News