Sara Duterte could still resign before her impeachment trial – lawyers

Bayan Muna chair and lawyer Neri Colmenares speaks during the Diocese of Baguio’s Talakayang Bayan para sa Katotohanan at Pananagutan on Saturday, July 4, 2026, at the Baguio Cathedral grounds, where he discussed legal issues surrounding the impeachment case against Vice President Sara Duterte ahead of the scheduled trial in the Senate. —Photo by Vincent Cabreza | INQUIRER

BAGUIO CITY, Philippines — Vice President Sara Duterte could still resign to avoid standing trial in her impeachment case, which is set to begin on Monday, much like impeached Ombudsman Merceditas Gutierrez did in 2011 and former Commission on Elections chair Andres Bautista in 2017, lawyer Howard Calleja said.

Speaking at the Diocese of Baguio’s “Talakayang Bayan para sa Katotohanan at Pananagutan,” Calleja said resignation remains an option for Duterte even after the articles of impeachment have been transmitted to the Senate.

But Bayan Muna chair and lawyer Neri Colmenares argued that resignation would not necessarily spare the vice president from the consequences of impeachment.

Article continues after this advertisement