Panelo calls talk of replacing VP Sara Duterte premature amid impeachment trial

Lawyer Salvador Paolo A. Panelo Jr., spokesperson for Vice President Sara Duterte, has criticized discussions about who could replace her, describing them as premature and a distraction from what he called legal and procedural flaws in her impeachment trial, according to Edge Davao.

In a statement dated October 29, Panelo said the Senate Impeachment Court must first deal with questions about its impartiality, the constitutionality of lowering the threshold for conviction, and alleged violations of the Vice President's right to due process.

He also questioned what he described as the Senate majority's apparent indifference to wasted time and public funds after the prosecution withdrew Articles I and IV of the impeachment complaint.

"These issues raise grave doubts as to whether a conviction by the Senate Impeachment Court, and any consequent attempt to install a replacement, would rest on any solid legal and moral foundation," Panelo said.

Panelo cited the latest Social Weather Stations survey, which he said showed only 28 percent of Filipinos trust the impeachment court to deliver a fair judgment. The court reportedly drew a net trust rating of -7, which he called the lowest in the history of impeachment trials.

He further argued that removing Duterte would do little to address the country's economic and environmental problems. He pointed to soaring inflation, the threat of a Super El Niño to food security, economic growth slowing to 2.3 percent, which he described as a post-pandemic low, and the peso's slide to record lows.

Panelo accused the administration and its allies of putting political maneuvering ahead of issues such as rising living costs and economic stability. "The impeachment has only made clear how this administration and its allies prioritize political maneuvering over the issues that matter most to ordinary Filipinos," he said.

His remarks came as talk circulated about possible successors should the trial end in Duterte's removal. Panelo said attention should stay on the legal integrity of the process and the country's pressing problems.