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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider VP Sara may attend Senate impeachment trial 'if needed,' defense says

VP Sara may attend Senate impeachment trial 'if needed,' defense says

Legal counsel says Duterte's appearance will depend on trial developments, advice from her lawyers

Published Jul 3, 2026 02:17 pm

At A Glance

  • Vice President Sara Duterte may personally attend her Senate impeachment trial if her presence becomes necessary, her defense team said.
  • Defense spokesman Atty. Michael Poa said Duterte's lawyers will advise her on whether she should appear on specific trial dates.
  • The Senate impeachment trial is scheduled to begin on July 6, with 92 days allotted for the proceedings.
Vice President Sara Duterte may personally attend her Senate impeachment trial if her presence becomes necessary, but her defense team said the decision will depend on developments during the proceedings and its legal advice.
Defense spokesman Atty. Michael Poa, in a recent interview, said Duterte’s attendance would not be automatic, stressing that her lawyers would assess whether she needs to appear as the trial unfolds.
“Kung kinakailangan, because it will depend, during the course of the trial, kung sa tingin namin hindi na kailangan, papayuhan namin na hindi na siguro kailangan (If necessary, it will depend on the course of the trial. If we think her presence is no longer needed, we will advise her that it may not be necessary),” Poa said.
He explained that the Vice President would consider her lawyers' advice on whether she should personally attend specific trial dates.
“You can never require the Vice President to do anything,” Poa said. “She has her own mind when it comes to things, but she listens to advice and sa amin (for us,) we will advise her accordingly,” he added.
The Senate impeachment trial is scheduled to begin on July 6, following the completion of pre-trial proceedings. The Senate impeachment court has allotted 92 days for the trial, including 62 trial dates for House prosecutors and 30 for Duterte’s defense team.
READ: 
https://mb.com.ph/2026/07/03/vp-sara-duterte-impeachment-trial-defense-ready-for-july-6-eyes-surprise-witnesses
Duterte ‘in good spirits’
Poa said Duterte remains in good spirits as she faces the impeachment case, noting that she had anticipated the possibility of impeachment as early as 2023.
“The Vice President is in good spirits kasi hindi na bago sa kanya itong mga batikos na ito (because these criticisms are nothing new to her),” Poa said. “It’s something she anticipated way back in 2023 na magkakaroon ng (that there will be an) impeachment,” he said.
Poa said Duterte discussed the possibility of impeachment with her in 2023, prompting her to form her legal team early.
“She spoke to me about it, na magkakaroon ng (that there will be an) impeachment, and that’s why way back in 2023, we were already in the process of forming the defense team at that time,” he said.
VP trusts defense team
The defense spokesman said Duterte has confidence in her lawyers, who have been preparing for the case for more than a year.
“She had the foresight that this was coming,” Poa said. “So right now, since matagal nang nabuo yung (it was formed long time ago) defense team, I think she trusts that we know what we’re doing,” he explained.
Poa said Duterte continues to perform her duties as Vice President while her lawyers prepare to answer the allegations against her before the Senate impeachment court. “Now, she’s just doing her job as Vice President,” he added.
Earlier, Duterte said she would leave all comments on the matter to her spokesperson and defense lawyers, stressing that the impeachment case is a legal issue that should be handled by her legal team.
READ:
https://mb.com.ph/2026/05/13/vp-sara-duterte-leaves-impeachment-response-to-defense-team

Related Tags

VP Sara Duterte impeachment trial Sara Duterte Senate impeachment Sara Duterte defense team Michael Poa July 6 impeachment trial
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