CALL Members of militant groups gather outside the Senate on the first day of the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte, calling for accountability as the country’s second highest official faces charges of misuse of public funds, unexplained wealth and other violations of the Constitution. —Photo by Marianne Bermudez
MANILA, Philippines — Vice President Sara Duterte skipped the opening day of her impeachment trial before the Senate on Monday, opting to appear through her lawyers as she maintained that personally taking the witness stand is “a matter of legal strategy and constitutional rights.”
In a statement issued as the Senate sat as an impeachment court, Duterte also brushed aside President Marcos’ view that she should personally attend the proceedings.
Marcos’ advice
“The opinion of a President in an impeachment proceeding is of no importance. Impeachment proceedings must be guided by the Constitution and due process,” Duterte said.
