Manila, July 8 -- The House prosecution panel on Wednesday argued that Vice President Sara Duterte's statement about an arrangement with a hitman to kill President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. if she were killed constitutes a betrayal of public trust, one of the constitutional grounds for impeachment.

House trial spokesperson and Lanao del Sur Rep. Zia Alonto Adiong said the alleged admission raises serious questions about the conduct expected of a public official sworn to uphold the law.

"The mere fact that she had that idea and made an understanding, an agreement with a person whose livelihood is sourced out from killing people, is already a betrayal of public trust," Adiong said during a press briefing.

"Kasi (because) she is expected t...