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'Responsibilidad mo yan': Luistro says Constitution compels VP Duterte to attend impeachment trial
Philippines
National
'Responsibilidad mo yan': Luistro says Constitution compels VP Duterte to attend impeachment trial
'Responsibilidad mo yan': Luistro says Constitution compels VP Duterte to attend impeachment trial
Published Jun 26, 2026 11:58 am
At A Glance
- Rep. Gerville Luistro insists Vice President Sara Duterte must personally attend her Senate impeachment trial starting July 6 as part of her constitutional duty.
- She acknowledges that rules allow Duterte's absence to be treated as a "not guilty" plea but stresses that public office is a public trust requiring accountability.
- The Senate impeachment court has concluded pre-trial proceedings and issued its order, setting the stage for the trial.
Batangas 2nd Rep. Gerville “Jinky Bitrics” Luistro (left), Vice President Sara Duterte (Facebook)
Batangas 2nd Rep. Gerville “Jinky Bitrics” Luistro insists that Vice President Sara Duterte must attend her own Senate impeachment trial--slated to begin on July 6--as a matter of constitutional duty.
Luistro had this to say in a press conference on Thursday night, June 25, just hours after the Senate impeachment court formally closed the pre-trial conference (PTC) between the prosecution and defense panels.
Luistro, the lead prosecutor, noted that the defense said Duterte’s attendance to the impeachment trial would depend on the advice of her legal team and whether or not her appearance would be necessary.
“I understand that that is her prerogative whether to appear or not,” the Batangueña said.
She noted that under the impeachment rules, Duterte’s absence would simply be treated as an "entry of a plea of not guilty".
Despite this, Luistro says she believes that Duterte’s appearance before the impeachment court is part of a public official’s constitutional responsibility.
“Nevertheless, in my personal opinion, appearing before the impeachment court is likewise a constitutional duty which public officials must comply,” she said.
Luistro anchored her view on the constitutional principle that public office is a public trust.
“This is what we meant by public office is a public trust, and public officials must be accountable to the people at all times,” she said.
The Senate impeachment court has completed pre-trial proceedings and is set to begin the impeachment trial after issuing its pre-trial order.
The twice-impeached Duterte was never seen during House Committee on Justice proceedings on her impeachment complaints earlier this year. Luistro chairs the justice panel.