Rather than relying on technicalities in a bid to dismiss the impeachment case against her, Vice President Sara Duterte must face the allegations against her and explain to the people, Malacañang said.

In a briefing on Tuesday, June 2, Palace Press Officer and Communications Undersecretary Claire Castro noted that there was no outright denial of the allegations of corruption against the Vice President; instead, she relied on technicalities.

"Unang-una po, lumalabas dito sa kanyang naging tugon hindi niya po dineny. Walang outright denial ng mga akusasyon sa kanya katulad po ng diumanong paglustay ng confidential funds, pagbabanta sa buhay lalong-lalo na sa buhay ng Pangulong Marcos Jr., pagtanggap diumano ng pera mula sa mga drug lords at mga unexplained wealth (First of all, based on her response, it appears that she did not deny the accusations against her. There was no outright denial of the allegations, such as the alleged misuse of confidential funds, threats to life, especially against President Marcos Jr., alleged acceptance of money from drug lords, and unexplained wealth)," Castro said.

The Palace spokesperson pointed out that the Vice President only raised technicalities on her case, such as how the evidence was released and obtained.

Castro added that it was the same response she previously used in the House of Representatives during the Committee on Justice hearings.

"Mas maganda po sana na mas maipaliwanag niya sa taumbayan itong mga inaakusa sa kaniya rather than using mere technicalities to have the complaint be dismissed (It would be better if she could explain these accusations to the public more clearly, rather than relying on technicalities to have the complaint dismissed)," Castro said.

"Kung maki-clear naman po ang Bise Presidente sa pamamagitan ng mga ebidensiya at ito ay madi-deny niya mas maganda pong ma-clear niya iyong pangalan niya at maipaliwanag niyang walang katotohanan lahat iyong mga inaakusa sa kanya (If the Vice President is cleared through evidence and she is able to deny the accusations, it would be better for her to clear her name and explain that all the allegations against her are not true), rather than using mere technicalities," Castro added.

On June 1, Duterte formally filed her Answer before the Senate sitting as an Impeachment Court, challenging the constitutionality and validity of the impeachment case lodged against her.

The Vice President raised “significant constitutional, procedural, and substantive issues” concerning both the Articles of Impeachment and the proceedings conducted by the House of Representatives and its Committee on Justice.