Duterte: Marcos' comment on impeachment trial attendance not important

MANILA, Philippines — Vice President Sara Duterte on Monday said President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s opinion on her impeachment trial attendance “is of no importance,” stressing that the proceedings should be guided only by the Constitution.

She made the statement after Marcos, during his four-day official visit to Canada, said it would be “much easier” for Duterte to face the Senate impeachment court and respond to the allegations against her.

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Duterte disputed this, saying that a respondent “has the right to be represented by counsel.”

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

“The respondent has the right to be represented by counsel, and the decision to personally testify is a matter of legal strategy and constitutional rights,” she added.

Duterte did not confirm whether she would appear on the first day of her impeachment trial, but insisted that appearing only through counsel “does not diminish accountability or imply a lack of transparency.”

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

Duterte then said public officials are “best served by keeping their personal opinions to themselves” and relying on the law and objective facts when addressing matters of public concern. /mcm

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