Lawyer Dino de Leon of the civic initiative Bantay Senado said Vice President Sara Duterte should personally attend her impeachment trial before the Senate impeachment court, saying her absence would show disrespect for the constitutional process.
“Sa aming palagay, the mere fact na hindi siya a-attend is again a disrespect to the process. Respetuhin natin ang proseso, respetuhin natin ang Saligang Batas,” De Leon said during the Saturday News Forum.
De Leon said the decision ultimately rests with Duterte, but stressed that the public will judge not only the Senate impeachment court but also the respondent based on how the proceedings unfold.
“Habang we appreciate that the decision belongs to her, it does not mean that we like the decision,” De Leon said.
“Tayo ang huhusga ultimately. Ang Senado ay huhusgahan ng taumbayan. Ang respondent ay huhusgahan din ng taumbayan,” he added.
House legal spokesperson and private prosecutor Atty. Benjamin “Jay” Tolosa Jr. said the impeachment rules allow Duterte to appear either personally or through counsel.
“We, of course, recognize the sentiment of the public that there’s a demand to hear her, personally address these allegations against her, and face the impeachment court,” Tolosa said.
“But, of course, we have to respect the rules which allow the impeachment court to give her the option to either appear in person or through counsel. So ultimately, that decision belongs to her and, of course, with the advice of her counsel. So we leave it to her,” he said.
Asked whether the prosecution would prefer Duterte to appear in person, Tolosa said her attendance would not affect the presentation of the House’s case.
“Well, again, of course, that will be good. But at the end of the day, it will not affect how we will present or prove our case. We will still present our evidence, call to the witness stand all of our witnesses, regardless if she’s there or not,” he said.
Duterte’s impeachment trial is scheduled to begin on Monday, July 6. Under the impeachment rules, the respondent may appear personally or through counsel during the proceedings.