The legal team of Vice President Sara Duterte on Thursday, April 23, clarified why she has not been attending House hearings related to her impeachment case, saying the proceedings “lack constitutional jurisdiction” and are not the “proper venue” for trial.

During a press conference, lawyers Michael Poa and Sheila Sison, along with Ralph Bodota and Carlo Joaquin Narvasa, emphasized that Duterte’s non-attendance should not be interpreted as a refusal to answer the allegations.

Duterte’s defense team held the press conference a day after the House hearing on April 22, which focused on the Vice President’s alleged unexplained wealth.

Before this, Duterte also issued a strongly worded statement denying all allegations against her.

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Poa explained that the Vice President’s absence is based on the defense panel’s position that the ongoing proceedings in the House lack the authority to conduct a trial.

“Her attendance or non-attendance is based on the position of the defense regarding the jurisdiction—or the lack thereof—of the proceedings,” Poa said.

“Hindi ibig sabihin nito na ayaw rumisponde ang ating Bise Presidente sa mga paratang (This does not mean that our Vice President refuses to respond to the allegations),” he added.

The defense team maintained that the appropriate venue for addressing the allegations is the Senate of the Philippines, which serves as the impeachment court under the 1987 Philippine Constitution.

Sison stressed that evidence presented before a House committee does not equate to proof.

“Any evidence must survive scrutiny in a proper trial before a body with jurisdiction,” she said, adding that such scrutiny can only happen in an impeachment court.

Poa also explained why the defense initially avoided holding press briefings.

“We don’t want everything to be a trial by publicity,” he said, noting that the team will present its full arguments if and when the case is transmitted to the Senate.

The lawyers expressed confidence that the Vice President would be cleared once they could cross-examine witnesses and challenge evidence in a formal impeachment trial.

The defense also addressed reports involving financial data from the Anti-Money Laundering Council (AMLC), saying the issue lies in how the information was presented.

Poa clarified that AMLC figures are typically presented in aggregate form, which may not accurately reflect individual transactions when taken out of context.

“I’m not saying AMLC is wrong,” he said. “But the way the data was presented is where disagreements may arise.”

Another key argument raised by the defense is the constitutional scope of impeachment.

According to the lawyers, only alleged offenses committed during Duterte’s tenure as Vice President fall within the jurisdiction of impeachment proceedings.

“Yung time na hindi siya vice president, hindi na iyan saklaw ng impeachment proceedings (The period when she was not yet impeachment proceedings no longer cover Vice President),” Poa said.

Despite questioning the current proceedings, the legal team said it is fully prepared for any eventuality, including a possible trial in the Senate.

“We’re ready for any eventuality,” Poa said, noting that preparations have been ongoing even as a petition remains pending before the Supreme Court of the Philippines.

Sison reiterated that the defense is committed to presenting evidence and answering all allegations—but only before the proper constitutional body.

“The right venue and the right time to respond is before the impeachment court,” she said.

The defense concluded by asserting that their objective goes beyond securing a legal victory.

“We are not here to lose,” Poa said. “Our goal is not just to win but to show the public that the allegations of corruption against the Vice President are unfounded.”

Amid all these, Poa said Duterte continues to carry out her duties and oversee programs while legal matters are being handled by her defense team.