‘Mahusay!’: De Lima gives big credit to soft-spoken Diokno after favorable impeachment court ruling

Mamamayang Liberal (ML) Party-list Rep. Leila de Lima gave huge props to her fellow solon-prosecutor, Akbayan Party-list Rep. Chel Diokno for helping deliver a crucial victory for them in Vice President Sara Duterte’s Senate impeachment trial. De Lima was referring to the impeachment court’s twin rulings on Monday, July 20 which granted the House prosecution panel’s motions to subpoena the tax records, Anti-Money Laundering Council (AMLC) reports, and bank records of Duterte, her husband lawyer Manases Carpio, and their businesses, subject to certain limitations. “Saludo po tayo kay Rep. Chel Diokno sa mahusay at malinaw na pagpapaliwanag sa paninindigan ng House prosecution na hindi dapat hadlangan ang paglalabas ng napakahalagang ebidensya ukol sa totoong yaman ni VP Sara,” she said. (We salute Rep. Chel Diokno for his clear and excellent explanation of the House prosecution’s position that the release of crucial evidence on VP Sara’s true wealth must not be obstructed.) It was the rookie congressman–known for his soft voice and calm demeanor– who led the oral arguments for the side of the prosecution , which earlier requested the court to issue subpoenas for the respondent’s bank and tax records. The panel has been saying that the documents are crucial to proving allegations of unexplained wealth–as indicated in one of the four articles of impeachment against Duterte. The oral arguments began during the previous hearing date Wednesday, July 15 and was continued on Monday. “Malaking tagumpay ito para sa katotohanan. Tagumpay ito ng taumbayan na karapatang makita at masuri rin ang mga ebidensya sa prosesong ito ng pananagutan. Nanaig po dito ang hangarin nating maisiwalat ang buong katotohanan, hindi ang confidentiality,” noted De Lima, Diokno’s “classmate” in the 20th Congress. (This is a major victory for truth. It is a victory for the people, whose right to see and examine evidence in this accountability process has been upheld. What prevailed here was our desire to reveal the whole truth, not confidentiality.) The former Department of Justice (DOJ) secretary said the Senate impeachment court was able to stand firm in its independence and fulfill its constitutional duty. De Lima said the court did not waver despite claims of legal prohibitions on gathering information. “Patunay din po ang desisyon na ito ng impeachment court: Hindi maituturing na fishing expedition ang paghahanap ng hustisya para sa sambayanan at ng pananagutan sa mga opisyal ng gobyerno, gaano man kataas ang katungkulan,” she added, referring to the main argument of the Vice President’s defense team. (This decision of the impeachment court also proves: the search for justice for the people and accountability of government officials, no matter how high their position, cannot be considered a fishing expedition.) De Lima further said: “This is a watershed moment in this impeachment case and a landmark decision by the impeachment court that future generations can benefit from and be proud of.” Rather ominously for the respondent, De Lima said: “Abangan po natin ang susunod pang mga araw ng paglilitis. Tuloy na tuloy ang proseso ng katotohanan at pananagutan.” (Let us watch closely the coming days of trial. The process of truth and accountability continues in full.)