The legal team of Sara Duterte has confirmed it will “definitely participate” in a potential Senate impeachment trial, even as it continues to challenge the legality of the proceedings before the Supreme Court. 

Lawyer Michael Poa, spokesperson for Duterte’s impeachment defense team, said the camp is prepared for a full trial should the case move forward to the Senate.

“As for the Senate, we will definitely participate—the defense team,” Poa said in a recent dzBB interview.

Poa noted that Duterte’s camp recognizes that the possible impeachment proceeding in the Senate is a “real trial,” and that both the defense team and prosecutors will be present.

However, Poa said Duterte’s personal attendance would depend on whether her presence is required for specific proceedings.

“The very presence of the Vice President, of course, will depend on what the incident is in that trial—if it is necessary for her to be there,” he explained.

Poa added that Duterte may not need to attend every hearing, drawing parallels with the impeachment trial of Renato Corona, who was not present at all stages of his 2012 trial.

“She will not be present in all the proceedings,” he added.

Earlier, the defense team explained Duterte’s absence from House hearings, noting that it is not the “proper forum” and emphasizing that the Senate should act as the impeachment court.

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The House Committee on Justice, on April 29, voted unanimously to establish probable cause in impeachment complaints against Duterte, paving the way for the case to potentially advance to a Senate trial. The complaints include allegations such as unexplained wealth and misuse of public funds.

Her defense team criticized the House proceedings, saying the presentation of evidence lacks substance and fails to meet the standard for probable cause.

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Despite signaling readiness for trial, Duterte’s camp continues to question the process undertaken by the House of Representatives.

Poa emphasized that filing a petition before the Supreme Court is part of the defense’s duty to uphold constitutional rights, particularly due process.

“It is the right of every Filipino—if you see a violation, a transgression against your fundamental constitutional rights, such as the right to due process—we should ask the court to rule on whether what the House is doing is right,” Poa said, explaining that Duterte is only “exercising her right.”

“There is a right way to do everything," Poa said.

"For us, as the Vice President’s lawyers, even though we want to answer all the allegations—in fact, last year the Vice President wanted to answer and she herself stated that—when we see things that are constitutionally wrong in the process, it is also our duty to go to the Supreme Court to seek a ruling, not just for the Vice President but for all impeachable officers in the future,” he added.

The defense also criticized the House panel for allegedly failing to provide documents before hearings, arguing that this limited its ability to respond effectively to the accusations.

Poa clarified that Duterte’s legal expenses are not funded by the Office of the Vice President, stressing that the case is a personal matter.

Amid the controversy, Duterte’s sister, Veronica "Kitty" Duterte, publicly defended her, expressing confidence in her integrity.

“I know my sister. I know that she can be many things, but she’s not a thief. She’s not dishonest,” Kitty said in an interview published on Alvin and Tourism’s Facebook page earlier this week.

“I know that she can withstand what she’s going through right now because she has her truth, and in the end, that will prevail,” she added.

The impeachment complaints also referenced financial data flagged by the Anti-Money Laundering Council involving transactions linked to Duterte and her spouse. However, the defense dismissed the figures as potentially inflated.

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The developments come amid ongoing legal and political issues involving the Duterte family, including proceedings related to former president Rodrigo Duterte before the International Criminal Court.

If the Articles of Impeachment are transmitted, the Senate will convene as an impeachment court to try and decide the case—a process that could shape the country’s political landscape in the months ahead.

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https://mb.com.ph/2026/04/23/vp-sara-defense-allegations-will-not-hold-outside-senate-impeachment-court