Former court sheriff Abe Andres has objected to being included as a witness in the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte. Andres, who was previously involved in an incident where Duterte slapped him while she was mayor of Davao City, expressed his opposition in a Facebook post on Friday, June 26.
Andres calls for non-involvement in partisan politics
“Please do not involve me in any PARTISAN political matters. I have been appointed in the Supreme Court as a Human Resource Management Officer, a second level position,” Andres said in his post. He emphasized that as a second-level official in the Supreme Court, it is proper for him to remain impartial in political matters.
Andres also noted that he has long chosen not to comment on the incident involving him, stating that media reports on the matter are sufficient. “It is my position ever since to refuse to comment on the incident when I was holding a first level position, particularly, Sheriff IV of the Regional Trial Court. The media reports are self explanatory,” he added.
Prosecution lists Andres among key witnesses
According to the pre-trial brief filed by the House prosecution panel, Andres is one of eight witnesses expected to testify regarding allegations against Vice President Sara Duterte. These include alleged threats against the lives of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos, and former House Speaker Martin Romualdez.
The prosecution team argues that Andres’ testimony is crucial to support their claim that the Vice President has a capacity for violence. Andres, however, maintains his stance of neutrality and refuses to be drawn into the political proceedings.
