Defying impeachment court subpoena may lead to contempt - spox
By Dhel Nazario
Published Jul 9, 2026 04:43 pm
At A Glance
- A Subpoena ad testificandum has been issued to Atty. Zuleika Lopez Chief of Staff of the Office of the Vice President (OVP).
- She is required to provide material testimony regarding her knowledge of the case sent forward by the House of Representatives.
- The witness is expected to testify on factual matters within her direct knowledge to ensure a comprehensive, transparent, and fair evidentiary process.
Senate impeachment court spokesperson, lawyer Regie Tongol, said on Thursday, June 9, that failure to heed the subpoena issued by the body may lead to contempt.
(Senate PRIB photo)
"Yun yung tinatawag natin na compulsory process ng korte. Kapag pinasubpoena ka, wala kang karapatan tumanggi except for certain exceptions (That’s what we call the compulsory process of the court. When you are subpoenaed, you have no right to refuse except under certain exceptions)," he said in an interview on DZBB radio.
He stated that exceptions happen when one's testimony has no relevance, or if one was subpoenaed merely to be harassed and vexed, or if the subpoena was improperly issued—meaning it should not have been directed at a particular person, or it pertains to another case—or if the subpoena lacks definiteness.
In such instances, one can lawfully refuse or decline to comply with the subpoena
The Senate impeachment court formally has issued on Thursday, July 9, a Subpoena ad testificandum to lawyer Zuleika Lopez, chief-of-staff of the Office of the Vice President (OVP), compelling her attendance and testimony in the ongoing impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte.
The subpoena, signed by presiding officer Senator Francis "Chiz" Escudero, was officially served and successfully received by the OVP’s Central Records Unit on Thursday at 1:10 p.m.
Under the strict command of the court, Lopez is required to appear at the Senate of the Philippines (Senate Building, GSIS Headquarters, Financial Center, Pasay City) on July 13 and 14, 2026, at 2:00 p.m. to provide material testimony regarding her knowledge of the case sent forward by the House of Representatives.
Some of the key directives of the impeachment court include a mandatory appearance by her. The directive explicitly commands the witness to "fail not" in appearing before the high tribunal on the designated dates.
Another is the scope of testimony. The witness is expected to testify on factual matters within her direct knowledge to ensure a comprehensive, transparent, and fair evidentiary process.
Lastly, there is the notice to the parties. Copies of the order have been duly furnished to the Public Prosecutors from the House of Representatives, as well as defense counsel Fortun Narvasa & Salazar.
The issuance of this subpoena underscores the impeachment court's commitment to a rigorous, orderly, and continuous trial process as it handles these historic proceedings.