Sara’s camp questions impeachment trial process, remains confident in defense

Vice President Sara Duterte’s legal team said on 30 April that Sara Duterte will participate in the trial if it reaches the Senate, and asserted that they will not waive any objections as they have a pending petition before the Supreme Court in an interview on DZRH.

“We believe that these matters should already be done in the Senate and not here in the House Committee of Justice,” Poa said in Filipino.

On Wednesday, the House Committee on Justice unanimously found probable cause to bring two impeachment complaints against Duterte to the House plenary, following summaries presented by complainants Mamamayang Liberal Partylist Rep. Leila de Lima and Manila 6th District Rep. Benny Abante. All 53 members of the committee voted in favor of the motion filed by Pinoy Workers Partylist Rep. Franz Legaspi.

Meanwhile, Sara’s legal counsel filed a petition for certiorari and prohibition in the Supreme Court on 18 February 2025, which challenges the aspects of the impeachment proceedings against the vice president, with the petition not yet shown to have been granted or dismissed with finality and remaining pending before the Court.

Atty. Michael Poa, Duterte’s spokesperson, said the appeal was prompted by objections to the handling of the trial, which he said is no longer within the scope of the case’s initiation.

Regardless, Poa stressed that the vice president’s team is prepared to defend her and demonstrate that the allegations against her lack merit.

“We are confident that we will be able to prove that there is no wrongdoing on the part of the vice president,” he said.