Sara Duterte to skip impeachment trial's first day – defense

MANILA, Philippines — Vice President Sara Duterte will not attend the first day of her impeachment trial, her defense counsel’s spokesperson said on Monday.

In a press conference, Atty. Michael Poa cited Duterte’s recently released statement, in which she said that choosing to appear before the impeachment court only through counsel, rather than in person, “does not diminish accountability or imply a lack of transparency.”

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“In accordance with the impeachment rules, it is her right to appear through counsel,” Poa said.

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“For now, we can say that she will not attend today. She is appearing through counsel,” he added.

Asked how Duterte can reconcile her previous pronouncements of being “ready” for a “bloodbath” during her trial, and now simply choosing not to show up, Poa maintained that the vice president remains true to her word.

“Well, she is ready, and that’s why we’re here today since we’ve been preparing … for more than a year now. So I don’t think there’s anything to reconcile there. I don’t think there’s any conflict with that,” he said.

Poa, however, clarified that Duterte’s non-attendance on the first day of the trial does not necessarily mean that she would no longer appear in the succeeding proceedings, as it would ultimately depend on how the trial will go.

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“When it comes to her physical presence, we will assess. If necessary, why not? But that will depend on how the proceedings go, and we will advise her accordingly,” said Poa.

Duterte’s absence came despite the impeachment court’s invitation for her to attend the trial proper.

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Her impeachment trial is expected to run for 92 trial days, which means it may extend until early 2027. /mcm /apl

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