Senator-Judge Raffy Tulfo said during the Senate impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte that he blames the people around her for what he described as her present situation. His remarks came at the end of his questioning, which focused on a BIR Form 2316 and Article VII, Section 13 of the Constitution.
Tulfo began by recalling that the prosecution had asked a witness during the direct examination the day before about a BIR Form 2316. The form indicates that the Vice President received compensation from the City of Davao, apparently for legal activities, which the prosecution confirmed.
He then asked the witness about the amount. Based on the form, the witness said the gross compensation was Php82,327.45. The witness said it pertains to compensation income from the City of Davao, not as Vice President. Asked what the legal activities were, the witness said she could not say, adding that it was simply what was written on the form.
Tulfo then asked the witness, as a lawyer, if she was aware of Article VII, Section 13 of the Constitution. From her recollection, she said the President, the Vice President, and certain officers of the government are not allowed to practice a profession or participate in any government contracts or contracts with any government agency, government-owned or controlled corporation (GOCC), or instrumentality. She added that this means the Vice President cannot receive pay for work outside her office, in this case legal activities, which she described as something like double compensation.
Tulfo said he could not fathom how the Vice President, whom he called a discerning lawyer, was not advised on the provision. He noted that her husband, whom he described as a prominent lawyer, is a member of a top law firm, and that her chief of staff is also a lawyer. He asked why not even one of them knew Article VII, Section 13.
He also recalled that he had earlier raised the issue of her not divesting from companies where she sits on the board after being elected Vice President, saying nobody gave her that advice. He suggested that "maybe" her people knew about the law and intentionally ignored it, thinking they were an exception to the rule.
Tulfo ended by saying he blames those around the Vice President, saying they failed to keep her away from trouble and put her in her current situation.
Source: Senate of the Philippines impeachment trial proceedings