Vice President Sara Duterte on Tuesday said the impeachment trial may leave her “bloodied” but insisted she would not be broken by the proceedings.
“In this bloodbath and bludgeoning, I will be bloodied but unbowed,” Duterte told reporters at the Senate.
The Vice President did not give further statements or answer questions from the media.
Duterte arrived at the Senate past noon and went straight to a closed-door meeting with her defense team.
Before her arrival, lawyer Michael Poa, spokesperson of the defense panel, confirmed that Duterte would be at the Senate only to meet with her lawyers and would not attend the scheduled impeachment hearing.
“Yes, I can confirm na darating si Vice President Sara Duterte in a few minutes but she will only be here for a meeting with the defense team,” Poa said in a chance interview at the Senate.
“Meron kaming napag-usapan na magkikita kami today dito sa holding room ng defense team para magpaliwanag ang ilang bagay-bagay, but she will not be attending the hearing, the scheduled hearing this afternoon,” he added.
Poa said Duterte could not attend the trial because of her hectic schedule, but maintained that she was not avoiding the proceedings since she was represented by her defense team.
“Kung umiiwas kami eh baka hindi na kami lumalahok sa Senado,” he said.