ESCUDERO: VP SARA DUTERTE NOT REQUIRED TO PERSONALLY ATTEND IMPEACHMENT PROCEEDINGS

Senator-judge Francis "Chiz" Escudero clarified that Vice President Sara Duterte is not required to personally appear before the Senate impeachment court, saying her legal counsel may represent her throughout the proceedings.

The clarification came after private prosecutor Atty. Lorna Kapunan asked the defense panel whether the Vice President, who was reportedly inside the Senate premises, intended to personally appear before the impeachment court.

Responding to the query, Escudero said the impeachment rules do not require the respondent's physical presence as long as she is properly represented by her lawyers. He emphasized that Duterte's legal team has formally entered its appearance before the court and is authorized to act on her behalf during the trial.

Earlier in the day, Duterte arrived at the Senate but, according to her defense spokesperson Atty. Michael Poa, she was there only to meet with her legal team and had no intention of appearing before the impeachment court. The defense also said the Vice President had prior official commitments outside the trial.

The impeachment proceedings continued despite Duterte's absence, with the prosecution and defense addressing procedural matters before the Senate impeachment court. Escudero reiterated that the trial would proceed in accordance with the Constitution, the Senate's Rules on Impeachment Trials, and the principles of due process and fairness.

The impeachment trial, the first involving a sitting Vice President in Philippine history, is expected to tackle allegations ranging from the alleged misuse of confidential and public funds to corruption and other constitutional violations, all of which Duterte has denied. Her camp maintains that the impeachment case is politically motivated and has vowed to contest the charges through legal proceedings.