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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider 'Not a political tool': VP Sara's defense team says impeachment must not be 'weaponized'

'Not a political tool': VP Sara's defense team says impeachment must not be 'weaponized'

Published Jun 9, 2025 12:25 pm
The legal defense team of Vice President Sara Duterte warned on Monday, June 9, against weaponizing the impeachment trial for politics, but stressed that they are ready to face the senator-judges should the Senate decide to proceed with the trial.

                          Vice President Sara Duterte (MB File Photo)


In a statement, Duterte’s defense team said it has received several requests to comment on the calls for the Senate to proceed with the Vice President’s impeachment trial.

However, the team stressed that “we deem it proper to refrain from commenting on matters that are exclusive and internal to the Senate.”

The Senate has yet to convene as an impeachment court after Senate President Francis Escudero did not call for a special session over the break despite the transmittal of the Articles of Impeachment by the House of Representatives on the afternoon of Feb. 5.

The Senate President again moved the opening of the impeachment trial from June 2 to June 11, although Senator Risa Hontiveros bared plans by the Senate Minority, which includes Senator Koko Pimentel, to formally move to commence the opening rites of the impeachment trial on June 9.

Constitutional infirmities

Duterte’s defense team, however, raised questions on the Articles of Impeachment, particularly the fourth impeachment complaint, transmitted to the Senate.

“We reiterate our firm position that the initiation of the impeachment process—particularly the Fourth Impeachment Complaint—suffers from serious constitutional infirmities,” the team said.

The fourth impeachment complaint became the trigger for majority of lawmakers in the lower chamber to sign the impeachment complaint against the Vice President.

It pointed out Duterte’s death threats against President Marcos, First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos, and Speaker Martin Romualdez.

In November 2024, the Vice President admitted to hiring an assassin for the First Couple and Romualdez should she herself gets killed.

The fourth complaint also cited her alleged misuse of confidential funds and acts aimed at destabilizing the Marcos administration, including leading rallies calling for the President’s resignation, declaring herself as the “designated survivor,” publicly defending televangelist Apollo Quiboloy, and obstructing congressional investigations.

‘Not a political tool’

But Duterte’s defense team stressed that whether the impeachment trial begins or not, it shouldn’t be used as a political tool against the Vice President.

“The impeachment process must never be weaponized to harass, silence, or eliminate political opponents. It is a constitutional mechanism, not a political tool,” the statement read.

Duterte allies and supporters have accused the Marcos administration of orchestrating the Vice President’s impeachment after they had a falling out last year.

While cracks have started to appear in the once-UniTeam less than a year after they won the 2022 national elections, it wasn’t until Duterte’s resignation from the Department of Education (DepEd) in June 2024 that it became a full-blown political fight.

After her impeachment by the House of Representatives on Feb. 5, her father, former president Rodrigo Duterte, was arrested on March 11 and subsequently sent to International Criminal Court (ICC) in The Hague, Netherlands where he remains detained to this day.

‘We stand ready’

Her legal team emphasized that they are ready to defend her against the accusations should the Senate proceed with the impeachment trial.

“Nevertheless, should the Senate choose to proceed, we stand ready to confront the charges and expose the baselessness of the accusations against the Vice President,” the statement said.

Duterte even said in recent interviews that the impeachment trial must proceed because she wants a “bloodbath” and to be given a chance to clear her name.

The Fortun-Narvasa-Salazar Law Office handles the Vice President’s case.

Related Tags

Sara Duterte impeachment trial Senate Articles of Impeachment
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