Duterte legal team to focus on SC compliance after Senate ruling

The camp of Vice President Sara Duterte on Wednesday evening acknowledged the decision of the Senate on her impeachment case.

"The defense team acknowledges the Senate’s decision to adhere to the Supreme Court ruling and archive the articles of impeachment," Atty. Michael Poa, Duterte's legal counsel and impeachment spokesperson, said in a Viber message to reporters.

"Our focus now remains on submitting our comment, in compliance with the High Court’s order," Poa added.

On Tuesday, the Supreme Court required Duterte and several lawyers to comment on the appeal filed by the House of Representatives against the High Court’s ruling that barred the Vice President's impeachment case.

In response, Poa said that they "will comply with the order of the Supreme Court and submit our comment within the period provided."

On Monday, a majority of the senators voted to transfer the articles of impeachment to the archives, following the High Court's ruling that declared Duterte's impeachment unconstitutional.

The Senate archived the impeachment complaint with 19 senators voting yes, four voting no, and one abstaining.

It can be recalled that on 5 February, the House of Representatives impeached the Vice President, with 215 lawmakers voting in favor of adopting the articles of impeachment against her.

Duterte stands accused of betrayal of public trust, culpable violation of the Constitution, graft and corruption, and other high crimes over, among other things, the alleged misuse of P612.5 million in confidential and intelligence funds of the Office of the Vice President and the Department of Education, which she concurrently headed.