Hontiveros: Too early to say there’s already a number for VP conviction

MANILA, Philippines — It’s still premature to say that there is already a number enough to convict or acquit Vice President Sara Duterte as her impeachment trial remains ongoing, according to Sen. Risa Hontiveros.

“I think premature for me or for anyone to say that there is already a number for conviction or number for acquittal because we have only heard one side,” she said in an interview on radio dzBB on Sunday.

The Vice President’s defense team will begin presenting its evidence before the Senate impeachment court on Monday, with dozens of witnesses lined up for the first week to counter allegations of unexplained wealth.

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“We will only start hearing the defense presentation tomorrow. And as impartial senator-judges, we are still obliged to hear everything before we make a decision,” said Hontiveros.

READ: Sara Duterte trial: Impeachment court amends threshold ruling

“We have not yet judged any evidence as right or wrong, any witness as credible or not because each of us needs to give full consideration to everything that is presented to us. So I think the public, our countrymen, may have already formed and expressed opinions, but we will only really know the numbers on the day of the voting itself,” she added.

Pressed further on whether the issue has been discussed among the majority group, Hontiveros said it’s possible that it’s being talked about, but stressed that everything is still “a work in progress.”

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“Of course, when we meet during lunch break or separately during our legislative function, or during budget deliberations, it could be a subject of conversation. But all these are still a work in progress,” she said.

“We are all still considering the opinions we may have formed. And again, in the end, voting will only be held after we have heard everything, including the defense starting tomorrow. Only then will the individual decision of each one of us be formed and counted in the final vote,” explained Hontiveros.

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“As for me, all I have, all we have and all we should do is be an impartial senator-judge and study everything that is being said and presented before us,” she added. /cb