Vice President Sara Duterte — or at least through her lawyers — will face the trial of the century: her impeachment proceedings at the Senate.
She never appeared when the House of Representatives was holding its hearings. After she was impeached in May and the Senate held a pre-trial conference the following month, Duterte also chose to snub the upper chamber.
She had a choice not to, since she sent her team of lawyers led by litigator Sheila Sison. And for the upcoming trial’s commencement scheduled on Monday, July 6, it’s also unlikely that the public will see the Vice President during the presentation of evidence against her.
“Parati natin sinasabi riyan kung kinakailangan. But sa ngayon, hindi pa natin masasabi kung kailan ‘yon, kung mangyayari ‘yon,” defense spokesperson Michael Poa told reporters on July 18. (We always say she will appear if needed. But for now, we cannot say when that would be, if that will happen.)
Either way, the trial will push through as scheduled despite Duterte’s absence.
