Sara Duterte Denies Violence, Impeachment Trial Transparency Debated

MANILA, Philippines — Defense spokesperson Michael Poa on Tuesday vehemently denied reports circulating on social media that Vice President Sara Duterte had thrown a laptop, stating that such incidents never happened and that she has never been violent. "That’s not true. Totally not true. She did not throw a laptop or anything. I’ve never seen her do that. She has never been violent," Poa said in an interview with ANC yesterday. He added, "She has never even raised her voice at me, and I know some people might not believe me, but that’s the truth." The viral social media posts alleged that the laptop-throwing incident stemmed from Duterte’s frustrations over the handling of her impeachment case. Meanwhile, House prosecutor Rep. Terry Ridon said that beyond the impeachment proceedings, Duterte should prove before the court of public opinion if she really “is the president that we wish to elect in 2028.” Apart from proving Duterte as being unfit to stay in her post, Ridon said the impeachment proceedings aim to address and end the culture of violence in the country, which he said, could be traced back to the administration of the Vice President’s father, former president Rodrigo Duterte. In a separate development, Poa said it’s for the Vice President to decide whether to replace or retain him after presiding officer Sen. Francis Escudero said the prosecution and defense panels should assign spokespersons who are not directly involved in the impeachment trial. Escudero said both sides in the impeachment trial should designate independent spokespersons as he warned that they may violate the sub judice rule when being interviewed by the media. Poa said they were not surprised when Matibag testified that members of the uniformed services, some of them part of the security group of Duterte, are among nearly 20 “persons of interest” in the “plan” to kill President Marcos.