Manila Bulletin
Philippines
National
VP Sara Duterte may attend Senate impeachment trial, defense says
Philippines
National
VP Sara Duterte may attend Senate impeachment trial, defense says
VP Sara Duterte may attend Senate impeachment trial, defense says
Defense spokesperson Michael Poa says Duterte's appearance at the Senate impeachment trial remains possible as the prosecution continues presenting its evidence
Published Jul 13, 2026 03:06 pm
At A Glance
- Vice President Sara Duterte may still attend the Senate impeachment trial, although no definite plans have been confirmed, according to the defense.
- Defense spokesperson Atty. Michael Poa said the prosecution is currently presenting its evidence while the defense focuses on cross-examining witnesses.
Vice President Sara Duterte may still attend her Senate impeachment trial as the prosecution continues presenting evidence, although no definite plans have been made, defense spokesperson Atty. Michael Poa said. (Mark Balmores / Manila Bulletin file)
Vice President Sara Duterte may once again appear at the Senate—and might even attend her ongoing impeachment trial—but no definite plans have been made yet, according to her defense team.
During a press conference on Monday, July 13, defense spokesperson Atty. Michael Poa said Duterte has not informed the legal team of any intention to attend the proceedings, but emphasized that her appearance remains a possibility.
"She hasn't mentioned it to me yet. We talked a while ago, but it was on other topics," Poa said in a mix of English and Filipino.
He noted that the Vice President is currently in Davao but stressed that her schedule could still change. "Obviously, there's always that possibility. Like last week, she suddenly came here," Poa said.
Poa reiterated that Duterte is "currently" in Davao. "But you can never discount that possibility. For now, I can't say anything definite because she still hasn't mentioned anything definite to me," he explained.
Poa added that even if Duterte travels to Manila, it does not necessarily mean she would attend the impeachment proceedings. "If she comes here, I also don't know if it's only for a meeting or to attend the trial itself," he said.
He added that, as of Monday, the defense team had not scheduled any meeting with the Vice President.
"For now, we haven't set a meeting with her as far as the defense team is concerned," Poa said. "But of course, I wouldn't discount the possibility if she came to the trial," he added.
Prosecution continues presenting its case
Poa emphasized that the current phase of the impeachment proceedings belongs to the prosecution, whose responsibility is to present evidence and witnesses supporting the articles of impeachment.
"Maybe what the public needs to understand is that right now, this phase of the trial is really the prosecution's turn to present their evidence," he said.
He explained that the defense's role at this stage is to scrutinize the prosecution's witnesses through cross-examination.
"What the defense will do at this point is really to cross-examine the witnesses that will be presented," Poa said. "So if we have targets, that's where we will present them—in the cross-examination," he added.
Witness expected to testify
According to Poa, the defense expected prosecution witness and National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) Regional Director lawyer Jeremy Lotoc to testify on Monday, with cross-examination hopefully taking place on the same day.
"We're just waiting. Hopefully, we can also have a cross-examination today so we can finish one witness in one day," Poa said.
He also disclosed that both parties were preparing for oral arguments on requests for subpoenas involving bank records, Anti-Money Laundering Council (AMLC) documents, and Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) records.
Poa said the defense attempted to furnish the prosecution with its comment and memorandum before filing them with the impeachment court.
"Whatever we file in the impeachment court, there should be a copy furnished to our opposing party in the interest of fairness. That's under the rules," he said.
Defense reserves arguments
Throughout the briefing, Poa declined to discuss the merits of the impeachment case, saying the defense would reserve its arguments for the appropriate court proceedings.
He likewise refused to disclose details of the defense's strategy or identify witnesses who may later testify on behalf of Duterte.
"The defense team has always taken the position that we do not disclose before the trial who is on deck with us," he said.
Poa maintained that legal arguments should be presented before the Senate impeachment court rather than through media interviews.
"Let's just wait for the proceedings because that's when all of our arguments will come out," he said.
Duterte went to the Senate last week for a scheduled meeting with her legal team but did not participate in the impeachment hearing.
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As the prosecution continues presenting witnesses this week, the defense said any decision by the Vice President to return to the Senate remains entirely up to her.