By Jeanne Michael Penaranda

MANILA – Vice President Sara Duterte said she is ready to face the impeachment complaints filed against despite odds that she may not have the number of senators to defend her in the Senate Impeachment Tribunal in case the complaints reaches the Senate.

Duterte said her father, former President Rodrigo Duterte, has volunteered to  be one of her lawyers for the three impeachment complaints she is facing.

Earlier, the Vice President urged Filipinos to offer love to one another this Christmas season, especially to the poor and sick, as she also talked about forgiveness and respect.

“Sa ating pagsariwa sa diwa ng Pasko, tayong lahat ay tinatawag upang maging mapagpatawad, bukas-palad, at mapagmahal sa ating kapwa,” Duterte said on Christmas Eve.

“Ang kapanganakan ni Hesus ay isang mensahe ng kapatawaran na sumasailalim sa walang kapantay na pag-ibig ng Diyos sa lahat,” she said in a statement.

“Gamitin natin ang Kaniyang halimbawa bilang inspirasyon sa ating pakikipag-kapwa, lalo’t higit sa ating pamilya at mga minamahal sa buhay.”

The Vice President added that aside from material gifts, Filipinos should also extend understanding and respect to one another.

“Higit sa mga materyal na bagay na ating matatanggap ngayong Pasko, tayo ay inaanyayahang magbigay ng pag-unawa, respeto, at pagmamahal sa bawat isa, lalo na sa mga mahihirap at may karamdaman,” she said.

“Ito ang tunay na diwa ng panahong ito, at ito ay isang paalaala sa ating lahat, hindi lamang ngayong buwan ng Disyembre, kundi sa lahat ng araw,” she said.

 Duterte stressed that she did not violate any laws and that she was ready to face her cases. 

“Nagkausap kami, bago lang, sabi nya na since hindi ko tatanggapin yung pera mag-lawyer s’ya para sa akin. (We talked recently and he said that since I won’t accept the money, he will instead lawyer for me). He will be one of the lawyers for all the cases,” the Vice President said as reported by Manila television and other media.

“Well, I am confident that I did not break any law. I did not do anything illegal… Kapag nandiyan na ang kaso, haharapin pa rin namin, (When the cases are there, then we will face it.)” Duterte added in a separate “24 Oras” report.

Duterte is currently facing three impeachment complaints over the alleged misuse of P612 million confidential funds by the Office of the Vice President.