Vice President Sara Duterte and her brother, Davao City Mayor Sebastian Duterte. Photos by Maria Tan, ABS-CBN News and Simeon Celi, Presidential Photo
MANILA — Vice President Sara Duterte has yet to confirm her attendance at her own impeachment trial next week, when the prosecution is expected to present her younger brother Davao City Mayor Sebastian Duterte as a witness, defense counsel and spokesperson Michael Poa said on Monday.
The Senate impeachment court earlier confirmed that the Davao City mayor would be summoned to court next week to answer allegations about the government contracts that his sister’s companies supposedly won from the local government of their bailiwick Davao.
Sara Duterte was Metro City Chow Foods director from 2022 to 2025 — SEC exec
“Wala po pa siyang sinasabi sa akin. Pagdating naman po sa ganyang mga matters, we don't really recommend yung kanyang attendance,” Poa told reporters in a press conference after the 27th day of the Vice President’s impeachment trial.
(She has not said anything to us about it. When it comes to those matters, we don't really recommend her attendance.)
He said that is up to Vice President Duterte and that her lawyers will not interfere.
“As to the subpoena of Mayor Baste, I'm sure he has his own lawyers,” he said. “I'm sure he's... you know, well updated on the matter. So, tayo, intay lang natin kung anong mangyari next week (So we will just wait and see),” he said.
The prosecution earlier said that Mayor Duterte may have to face arrest should he refuse to heed the subpoena from the Senate impeachment court.
The vice president, on the other hand, has yet to receive a formal subpoena as the prosecution manifested that they intend to call the respondent as a witness in her own trial after they have presented all articles of impeachment before the tribunal.
Duterte only went to the Senate once since her trial began in July to meet with her defense team shortly before the trial began.
Poa confirmed that he has discussed concerns on violating the sub judice rule with Duterte, noting that she has also been consulting her lawyers on the matter.
“So pag may mga bagay na hindi rin siya sure kung sub judice o hindi, siya naman ay nagko-consult at tayo nagbibigay ng opinion natin, at usually naman, she values our opinion.”
(When there are matters that she is not sure if it will violate sub judie, she consults us and we give our opinion. She usually values our opinion.)
Last week, the Senate impeachment court issued show cause orders against two members of the prosecution panel for supposedly discussing the merits and substance of Duterte’s impeachment outside the trial.
House prosecutor Terry Ridon earlier confirmed that the show cause order was issued against him and prosecution spokesperson Benjamin Tolosa Jr.
Prosecution mulls manifestation for 'fair and uniform' implementation of sub judice rule
The impeachment tribunal has yet to announce their ruling on the alleged sub judice violation.
Under the Senate’s rules, the first violation would warrant an admonition from the court, while a P30,000-fine will be imposed for the second offense.
Succeeding offenses may lead to an expulsion from the court, and a possible complaint filed before the Judicial and Bar Council.
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