Abante: Sara Duterte self-incrimination plea could raise questions

Manila Rep. Benny Abante File photo / from Benny Abante FB Page MANILA, Philippines — Manila Rep. Bienvenido Abante Jr. said Thursday that Vice President Sara Duterte could face questions from the public if she attends her Senate impeachment trial but invokes her right against self-incrimination. Abante made the statement during a press conference in reaction to former Supreme Court Associate Justice Antonio Carpio’s assertion that Duterte would have to appear before the Senate impeachment court if subpoenaed but could invoke her right against self-incrimination. The prosecution panel on Tuesday informed the impeachment court that it was reserving the right to call Duterte to the witness stand after presenting its evidence on the four Articles of Impeachment filed against her. Article continues after this advertisement READ: Sara Duterte calls on Marcos to resign: ‘You’re a liar, abusive’ Abante said Duterte should personally answer the allegations against her rather than invoke her constitutional right against self-incrimination. “Aba, gusto ko sabihin kay Vice President, sagutin mo lahat yan. Sapagkat kung hindi, ang ibig sabihin po nung pag-ininvoke mo yan Vice President, ibig sabihin na meron kang tinatago,” he said. (“I want to tell the Vice President, answer all of those allegations. Because if you do not, invoking that right would mean that you have something to hide.”) READ: Sara Duterte arraignment on grave threats raps deferred “Kung talagang wala kang tinatago, ilabas mo o bakit kinakailangang i-invoke mo ang right,” Abante added. (“If you really have nothing to hide, then show it. Why do you need to invoke that right?”) Article continues after this advertisement Abante acknowledged that Duterte has the right to invoke protection against self-incrimination but said it would be up to the public to decide whether to accept her decision. “Karapatan mo yan. But the thing is this, yan po ba ay tanggap ng taong bayan? Yan pong ibig sabihin yan. Tanggap ba ng taong bayan na patawag kang mastermind ng confidential fund na ito? Tanggap ba ng taong bayan na tanggapin mo na ikaw ay nag-scam? Tanggap ba ng taong bayan na ikaw ay bolero?” he said. (“That is your right. But the thing is, will the people accept that? That is what this means. Will the people accept being called the mastermind of this confidential fund? Will the people accept that you admit you committed a scam? Will the people accept that you are a liar?”) Article continues after this advertisement He said the public was waiting for Duterte to respond to the allegations contained in the impeachment complaint. “Hindi po palagay ko tanggap ng taumbayan yan, because ang taong bayan naghahanap ng kasagutan. And I believe dapat siyang humarap diyan, sagutin niya lahat ng mga alegasyon,” Abante said. (“I don’t think the people will accept that because the people are looking for answers. And I believe she should face the proceedings and answer all the allegations.”) Abante also cited the practice in the United States, saying that individuals accused of crimes, including members of organized crime groups, sometimes invoke the right against self-incrimination. “That’s the reason why sa akin madam VP, eh humarap ka na at sagutin mo lahat ng mga alegasyon na yan. Huwag mo nang i-invoke your right against self-incrimination,” he said. (“That’s the reason why, Madam VP, I am telling you to face the proceedings and answer all those allegations. Do not invoke your right against self-incrimination.”) Meanwhile, Bicol Saro Rep. Terry Ridon, a member of the prosecution panel, said the right against self-incrimination generally applies in criminal proceedings. Your subscription could not be saved. Please try again. Your subscription has been successful. “Yung right against self-incrimination, na-implement lang po yan sa criminal cases. So, hindi naman criminal case (ang impeachment trial). So I think that is something that we will place on the table pa rin at the proper time,” Ridon said. (“The right against self-incrimination applies only in criminal cases. So an impeachment trial is not a criminal case. I think that is something that we will still put on the table at the proper time.”)