VP Duterte may attend Senate impeachment trial if needed, defense says

The defense team of Vice President Sara Duterte said the VP may personally appear before the Senate impeachment court if circumstances during the trial require it.

Her legal team clarified that any decision on her attendance will be based on its assessment as the proceedings progress.

Speaking in a recent interview, defense spokesperson Atty. Michael Poa said Duterte's presence at the trial will not be automatic, as her lawyers will determine whether it is necessary for her to attend.

“Kung kinakailangan, because it will depend, during the course of the trial, kung sa tingin namin hindi na kailangan, papayuhan namin na hindi na siguro kailangan,” Poa said.

Poa said the Vice President would weigh the advice of her legal team before deciding whether to appear during specific stages of the proceedings.

“You can never require the Vice President to do anything,” Poa said. “She has her own mind when it comes to things, but she listens to advice and sa amin we will advise her accordingly,” he added.

The Senate impeachment trial is set to open on July 6 after pre-trial proceedings concluded. The impeachment court has allotted 92 days for the proceedings, including 62 trial days for the House prosecution panel and 30 days for Duterte's defense.

Poa also said Duterte remains optimistic despite the impeachment case, noting that she had expected such a development years ago. “The Vice President is in good spirits kasi hindi na bago sa kanya itong mga batikos na ito,” Poa said.

“It’s something she anticipated way back in 2023 na magkakaroon ng (that there will be an) impeachment,” he said.

According to Poa, Duterte raised the possibility of an impeachment case with him in 2023, prompting the early organization of her defense panel.

He added that the Vice President has confidence in her legal team, which has been preparing for the case for more than a year.

“She had the foresight that this was coming,” Poa said. “So right now, since matagal nang nabuo yung defense team, I think she trusts that we know what we’re doing,” he explained.

Poa said Duterte continues to carry out her responsibilities as Vice President while her lawyers focus on the impeachment proceedings.

Earlier, Duterte said she would leave all public statements regarding the impeachment case to her spokesperson and defense lawyers, maintaining that it is a legal matter best addressed by her legal counsel.