House of Representatives Spokesperson Princess Abante doesn't appear worried over Vice President Sara Duterte's absence in the country amid the expected start of the latter's impeachment trial in the Senate.
Abante, in a press conference Tuesday, June 10, believes that the rules for impeachment covers such eventuality.
“Ang importante simulan na ng Senado ang trial para alam na rin natin kung ano ang magiging susunod na hakbang ng prosecutors at ano ang mangyayari sa impeachment process,” Abante, a lawyer, told reporters.
(The important thing is for the Senate to begin the trial so we can also know the next steps of the prosecutors and what will happen in the impeachment process.)
Earllier, the Office of the Vice President (OVP) confirmed that Duterte had left for Malaysia on a personal trip with her family. The Vice President's travel comes just days before the impeachment proceedings against her are set to begin, with the Senate expected to convene as an impeachment court on June 11.
“I believe in the impeachment rules meron naman siyang nakalagay kung paano ang pag-serve at pag-notify sa accused. Ang requirement kasi diyan personal service pero meron din nakalagay sa rules on what to do if personal service cannot be made,” she said.
(I believe that the impeachment rules include provisions on how to serve and notify the accused. The requirement there is personal service, but the rules also specify what to do if personal service cannot be made.)
During plenary session Monday night, June 9, Senate President Francis "Chiz" Escudero finally took his oath as presiding officer of the impeachment trial. The oath-taking of the other senator-judges are expected to take place during plenary session Tuesday.
The OVP did not disclose when Duterte departed, but bared that she was expected to attend the Independence Day celebration in Kuala Lumpur on June 12. She will reportedly engage in a consultation program with overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) during her trip.
The Vice President was impeached by the House of Representatives last Feb. 5, on charges of culpable violation of the Constitution, betrayal of public trust, graft and corruption, and other high crimes.
The charges stemmed from her alleged misuse of P612.5 million in confidential and intelligence funds—P500 million under the OVP and P112.5 million under the Department of Education (DepEd)—during her concurrent tenure at the two offices.
If convicted, the Vice President will be removed from office and barred from holding any future public position.