Former chief presidential legal counsel Salvador Panelo on Monday called for the dismissal of the first article of impeachment against Vice President Sara Duterte, saying that the charge lacks legal basis due to the absence of a final notice of disallowance from the Commission on Audit (COA).
Speaking on Bilyonaryo News Channel’s At The Forefront with Atty. Karen Jimeno, Panelo described the prosecution’s allegations regarding the alleged misuse of over P600 million in confidential funds as premature.
He pointed out that key audit witnesses themselves categorized their findings of irregularity as merely preliminary and recommendatory.
“If it’s not final, what is your basis for charging VP Sara with irregularity? Hindi pa nga final eh, so dapat it should be dismissed,” Panelo.
“If I were the prosecution, I’ll move to dismiss it kasi hindi lang naman trabaho ninyo ay mag-prosecute lang, but to render justice,” he added.
Panelo pointed out that without a final COA determination or notice of disallowance, there is no solid ground to move forward with Article 1.
He urged prosecutors to file a motion to dismiss the article, saying their primary mandate is not simply to secure a conviction, but to ensure justice is rendered to all parties involved.
According to Panelo, the impeachment court also holds the authority to throw out the charge on its own accord.
He questioned the purpose of proceeding with the trial on Article 1 when the central premise of the allegation remains legally unverified.
“The defense also, even the impeachment court, can [decide to dismiss it] kasi wala palang basis eh, so anong ginagawa natin dito?” Panelo asked.