Impeached Duterte not keen on attending impeachment trial

Metro Manila, Philippines - Vice President Sara Duterte said on Friday she will not attend the impeachment trial at the Senate if she has the option to skip proceedings.

“Kung pwedeng hindi, I understand puwede naman hindi na. Kasi baka ma-intimidate lang sila sa presence ko doon,” Duterte said in her first press briefing following her ouster at the House of Representatives earlier this week.

Senate President Chiz Escudero earlier said the “subject of impeachment, the respondent, the defendant of the impeachment case can waive his or her appearance” when trial begins.

“Kinakailangan lang naman ayon sa rules of court na mag-appear ang isang defendant o akusado una kapag ka-arraignment para sabihin niya inaako ba niya o sinasabing hindi nya inaako ung mga paratang laban sa kanya. O pangalawa, kapag kailangan syang i-identify ng isang testigo. Maliban sa dalawang pagkakataong iyon merong ika nga, waiver of appearance na tinatawag sa ilalim ng rules of court that has suppletory application sa impeachment court,” Escudero said.

[Translation: It is only required, according to the rules of court, for a defendant or accused to appear either first, during the arraignment to state whether they admit or deny the charges against them, or second, when they need to be identified by a witness. Apart from these two instances, there is what is called a waiver of appearance under the rules of court, which has suppletory application in the impeachment court]

Escudero, however, said the impeachment court has the authority to issue a subpoena, which he said is a “compulsory process” where Duterte may be compelled to attend.

‘Not in talks with Senate friends’

Meanwhile, the vice president said she is not in talks with his friends in the Senate following the ouster.

“I have not counted numbers of votes in the Senate. We are not there yet,” Duterte said.

READ: June trial, special session: options in Duterte impeachment

Escudero previously reminded his fellow senators to refrain from commenting on impeachment matters to assure impartiality of proceedings.

The vice president said her legal team has been preparing for impeachment since 2023.

She also added that her father and former President Rodrigo Duterte is welcome to join her legal team if he decides to do so.

“Because of his age and because of rigorous preparations for impeachment baka sabihin ko sa kanya huwag na siya mag-lead,” Duterte said.