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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider Renee Co wants 'reserved seating' for VP Duterte during impeachment trial

Renee Co wants 'reserved seating' for VP Duterte during impeachment trial

Published Jun 29, 2026 04:22 pm

At A Glance

  • Rep. Renee Co suggests reserving a physical chair for Vice President Sara Duterte during her Senate impeachment trial starting July 6.
  • Co clarifies that the reserved seat is not meant to pressure or embarrass Duterte, but to highlight that the constitutional process is open and ready to hear both sides.
  • Rep. Chel Diokno says the prosecution is prepared to cross-examine Duterte if she testifies, noting her personal appearance carries public significance and could address allegations tied to her impeachment articles.
Kabataan Party-list Rep. Renee Co (left), Vice President Sara Duterte (Facebook)
Kabataan Party-list Rep. Renee Co (left), Vice President Sara Duterte (Facebook)


Will Vice President Sara Duterte’s empty chair visual make a comeback during her Senate impeachment trial, which is set to begin on July 6?
It may or may not happen, but what's important is to have an actual, physical chair with the impeachment respondent's name on it.
Thus, said House prosecution panel spokesperson, Kabataan Party-list Rep. Renee Co, even as Duterte kept Filipinos guessing whether or not she would appear during the proceedings.
“Dapat makita ng taumbayan na may upuan para sa Pangalawang Pangulo. Kung nanaisin niyang humarap, makinig at sumagot, naniniwala kami na nararapat lamang na may nakalaang upuan para sa kanya sa impeachment court,” Co said on Monday, June 29.
(The people must see that there is a seat for the Vice President. If she chooses to appear, listen, and respond, we believe it is only right that a seat be reserved for her in the impeachment court.)
Co said her request would be consistent with what was done during the House Committee on Justice hearings on Duterte’s 2026 impeachment complaints, wherein a seat was officially set aside for the Vice President.
However, she never attended any of the hearings.
Co clarified that the act of reserving a chair wasn't intended to embartass Duterte, but to underscore that impeachment was a constitutional process where both the prosecution and the respondent are given full opportunity to be heard.
“Hindi ito pang-pressure, hindi ito palabas at hindi ito panghihiya. Simple lang ang mensahe natin: bukas ang proseso, didinggin ang bawat panig, at handa ang impeachment court na makinig,” she added.
(This is not pressure, not a show, and not humiliation. Our message is simple: the process is open, every side will be heard, and the impeachment court is ready to listen.)
The lawyer-congresswoman acknowledged that while Duterte may be represented by counsel, her personal appearance to the high-stakes trial carries a distinct public meaning.
“Kapag impeachment ang usapan, hindi lamang mga abogado ang pinakikinggan ng publiko, kundi kung handa bang humarap ang opisyal sa tanong ng pananagutan,” stressed Co.
(In impeachment, the public listens not only to lawyers but also to whether the official is ready to face questions of accountability.)
Co further says reserving a seat for Duterte would also help address claims that the respondent is being denied due process, as it would visibly show that she has notice, representation, and an available place in the proceedings.
Prosecution ready to cross-examine Duterte
At any rate, solon-prosecutor and Akbayan Party-list Rep. Chel Diokno said they would be ready to cross-examine Duterte, should she decide to appear and take the witness stand for the defense.
“That’s entirely the call of her defense panel. But we are ready to cross-examine her if she comes out and testifies,” Diokno said in a press conference Monday.
He added that the impeachment court would benefit from hearing Duterte personally explain the alleged death threats she uttered against President Marcos and other members of the First Family last Nov. 23, 2024. These threats are part of the articles of impeachment against the lady official.
“Maski noong Committee on Justice proceedings, if you recall, every time nagkaka-hearing, ina-invite ng committee si Vice President. At ito na rin ang pagkakataon niya na ipaliwanag ‘yung kanyang mga depensa at ‘yung mga sinasabi nga niya sa media pa lang so far,” Diokno said.
(Even during the Committee on Justice proceedings, if you recall, every time there was a hearing, the committee invited the Vice President. And that was also her opportunity to explain her defenses and the statements she had so far only made in the media.)

Related Tags

Renee Co Impeachment Sara Duterte Senate impeachment trial Chair Chel Diokno Cross-examination
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