MANILA — Vice President Sara Duterte issued a statement rejecting allegations raised during the House Committee on Justice proceedings the previous day, which she described as a “mini trial.”

In her statement, Duterte responded to claims made during the hearing involving Ramil Madriaga, whom she referred to as a “bar flunker and kidnapping suspect,” who allegedly said she needed assistance to finish law school.

“Of all the lies thrown during the Committee on Justice “mini trial” on April 14, the one I personally take issue with is the claim, made by a bar flunker and kidnapping suspect, that I needed someone to help me get through law school.”

Duterte said she completed her studies independently and emphasized her academic record and bar exam performance.

“I completed my studies on my own terms. I placed a higher premium on living a well-rounded life rather than pursuing academic excellence. I never asked any professor for special accommodation for my grades because the bare minimum was easy enough to meet. I was never the subject of any complaint for rudeness or violence against other students at SSC-R College of Law.”

She added that she finished law school and took the Bar examinations in the same year.

“I graduated in May 2005 and took the Bar Exam in September of the same year—something that had not been done before at SSC-R College of Law until my time. The exam that year was relatively difficult. I passed the Bar on my first attempt with a GWA of 80, five points above the minimum.”

Duterte also criticized the House proceedings and those behind the allegations, saying they were incapable of producing credible accusations.

“Madriaga and his cohorts in the House of Representatives do not come close to my capacity to achieve results with very little effort because they cannot even weave a believable lie, much less follow the rule of law.”

She further described the proceedings as abusive and linked them to broader allegations of corruption and political maneuvering within the impeachment process being handled by the House Committee on Justice.

“Mga kababayan, this mini-trial in the Committee on Justice is true to form for some of its members: abuse and corruption appear to be the only things they are capable of. Let us remember that the first impeachment case itself was marred by allegations of bribery involving members of the HOR, and this second impeachment is no better.”

Duterte also claimed that public funds were being misused amid economic difficulties.

“The failure of the administration to provide relief in this price crisis is not due to a lack of resources, but because public funds are being used for political maneuvering to avoid accountability for the most corrupt budget in our country’s history.”