The House Prosecution Panel labeled Vice President Sara Duterte’s answer ad cautelam motion to drop the impeachment case against her on the grounds of unconstitutionality full of misconceptions’, as the 11-man panel filed its reply to the Senate impeachment court.

The reply stated that the articles of impeachment against Duterte are ‘thoroughly drafted and contain sufficient allegations and evidence justifying a full-blown trial’.

"The Honorable Impeachment Court should reject respondent Duterte's desire for a dismissal without trial. A trial is not only warranted but necessary to reinforce justice… and affirm that no individual?regardless of rank or influence?stands above the law," the House prosecution panel said.

House prosecutors also branded Duterte’s claims that there are no articles of impeachment in the Senate impeachment court due to the return of the case to the House.

"The Honorable Impeachment Court should ignore respondent's claims that are tantamount to a motion to dismiss, including her prayer to resolve her affirmative defenses, and proceed to trial as directed by the plain text and meaning of the Constitution. These Articles of Impeachment highlight respondent Duterte's unfitness for public office. The gravity of the allegations and the public leave no room for technical evasion," it added.

In a press conference on Friday, House impeachment prosecutor spokesperson Antonio Bucoy said that the camp of Duterte, through their submission of the answer ad cautelam, did not directly respond to the allegations enumerated in the Articles of Impeachment but only denied without providing an explanation.

“What’s a general denial? She did not answer the factual allegations, she only said ‘that’s not true’. The problem with a general denial is that this does not answer any charges. If you’re going to deny it, you should say why. You should’ve said this isn’t real because… she didn’t have that because,” Bucoy said.

“In the law, a general denial is an admission,” Bucoy added.

Senate impeachment court spokesperson Regie Tongol confirmed that they received the House prosecutors reply at 1:38 pm.

The House impeachment prosecutor spokesperson noted that the Vice President did not deny that there was an attempt to stop the Commission on Audit (COA) from cooperating with the House Committee on Good Government and Public Accountability in investigating the alleged irregularities in the Office of the Vice Presidents’ use of confidential funds. Velle White/DMS