In a statement released on Monday, July 6, Duterte said a respondent in an impeachment case has the constitutional right to be represented by legal counsel and may decide whether to personally testify as part of a legal strategy.

“The opinion of a President in an impeachment proceeding is of no importance,” Duterte said. “Impeachment proceedings must be guided by the Constitution and due process,” she added.

The Vice President stressed that the prosecution remains responsible for establishing its case against the respondent.

“The burden remains on the prosecution to prove its case,” she said.

Duterte added that appearing through counsel instead of personally taking the witness stand should not be interpreted as a lack of accountability or transparency.

“Choosing to appear through counsel rather than testify personally does not diminish accountability or imply a lack of transparency,” she said.

Duterte also stressed that the integrity of an impeachment trial depends on compliance with legal procedures rather than on whether the respondent personally testifies.

“The integrity of an impeachment trial depends on adherence to the rule of law—not on whether the respondent personally takes the stand,” she said.

Duterte also said public officials should refrain from injecting personal views into matters of public concern and instead rely on the law, established policies, scientific evidence, and objective facts.

“At all times, public officials are best served by keeping their personal opinions to themselves and relying instead on the law, established policies, scientific evidence, and objective facts when addressing matters of public concern,” she said.