1 of 3 | Philippine Congresswoman Gerville Luistro (L), a member of the prosecution panel, delivers an opening statement during proceedings for the impeachment trial of Philippine Vice President Sara Duterte at the Philippine Senate in Pasay City, Metro Manila on Monday. Photo by Rolex Dela Pena/EPA
July 6 (UPI) -- Prosecutors in the Philippines called for accountability Monday on the first day of an impeachment trial for Vice President Sara Duterte, whose lawyers said the case was politically motivated.
Sara Duterte, who is the daughter of former President Rodrigo Duterte, faces allegations of misusing public funds. The House of Representatives voted overwhelmingly to impeach her in May, with 257 of 290 lawmakers voting in favor.
The allegations center on the wealth she gained after becoming mayor of Davao in 2019 along with her use of funds as vice president.
In opening arguments, Gerville Luistro, a House representative from Batangas, questioned, "does accountability still matter in our country?"
