By Benjamin Cuaresma
MANILA, Philippines — Private prosecutor Lorna Kapunan accused online trolls of stepping up attacks against the House prosecution team in Vice President Sara Duterte’s impeachment trial, calling the campaign a desperate bid to shift public attention away from the case.
“Masyado nang maingay ang trolls ngayon. So tinitira na ngayon ang mga private prosecutors,” Kapunan said, even joking that her sneakers could be dragged into the attacks.
“Pati nga ‘yung rubber shoes ko, baka sabihin nila katas ng impeachment,” she said.
Kapunan also mocked possible claims that members of the prosecution panel were receiving money in duffle bags, referring to the four bags used to transport P125 million in confidential funds withdrawn by former Office of the Vice President disbursing officer Gina Acosta in December 2022.
Acosta testified before the Senate impeachment court that she turned over the cash to then OVP security chief Col. Raymund Lachica on Duterte’s orders.
“Uso ngayon ang Maleta Boys, no? Kami naman ay duffle bag,” Kapunan said, joking that bags could supposedly have been handed to prosecution figures, including Rep. Ace Barbers, Rep. Gerville Luistro and Rep. Terry Ridon.
Kapunan urged the public to look past what she described as diversionary attacks and focus on the allegations before the impeachment court.
“I think we should focus on the impeachment case. Obvious na diversionary tactic ang ginagawa ng Office of the Vice President. Ginagawa nilang other narrative,” she said.
She pointed to the Duterte camp’s argument against the Department of Justice’s grave-threats case, in which the vice president’s lawyers have questioned whether an impeachable official can face criminal prosecution while an impeachment trial is pending.
Kapunan said the criminal case and impeachment proceedings involve separate issues.
Duterte faces impeachment allegations involving betrayal of public trust, culpable violations of the Constitution, bribery, graft and corruption, and other high crimes.
“She should be accountable for violations of the Constitution, for graft and corruption, betrayal of public trust, and other high crimes,” Kapunan said.
ia/xf
