House trial spokesperson and Kabataan party-list Rep. Renee Co said Monday the prosecution panel may ask the Senate impeachment court to reserve a physical seat for Vice President Sara Z. Duterte when her impeachment trial begins on July 6.
Co said the move would make clear to the public that Duterte, as the respondent constitutional officer, has an available place in the proceedings should she choose to appear, listen, and personally take part in her defense.
“Dapat makita ng taumbayan na may upuan para sa Pangalawang Pangulo. Kung nanaisin niyang humarap, makinig at sumagot, naniniwala kami na nararapat lamang na may nakalaang upuan para sa kanya sa impeachment court,” Co said.
She said the possible request would be consistent with the practice during the House Committee on Justice hearings, where a seat was also set aside for Duterte. Lead prosecutor and Batangas Rep. Gerville “Jinky Bitrics” Luistro had repeatedly said the committee remained open to Duterte’s attendance and defense.
“Ginawa na ito sa House Justice Committee para malinaw sa lahat na hindi sarado ang pinto sa kanya. May upuan, may pagkakataon at may forum kung nais niyang ipaliwanag ang kanyang panig,” Co said.
Co clarified that the possible request is not meant to pressure or embarrass Duterte, but to show that impeachment is a constitutional process where both the prosecution and the respondent are given full opportunity to be heard.
“Hindi ito pang-pressure, hindi ito palabas at hindi ito panghihiya. Simple lang ang mensahe natin: bukas ang proseso, didinggin ang bawat panig, at handa ang impeachment court na makinig,” she said.
The prosecution panel has maintained that the July 6 trial should proceed before the Senate impeachment court, where evidence will be presented on the articles of impeachment against Duterte.
“Sa July 6, ang mahalaga ay magsimula ang paglilitis at marinig ng taumbayan ang ebidensya. Kung darating siya, may lugar siya; kung hindi, magpapatuloy pa rin ang proseso sa ilalim ng Saligang Batas,” Co said.
Co acknowledged that Duterte may be represented by counsel, but said a personal appearance would carry a separate public meaning in a constitutional proceeding involving the country’s second-highest official.
“May abogado siya, ngunit iba rin ang mensahe kapag personal na humaharap sa taumbayan ang isang opisyal. Kapag impeachment ang usapan, hindi lamang mga abogado ang pinakikinggan ng publiko, kundi kung handa bang humarap ang opisyal sa tanong ng pananagutan,” she said.
She said reserving a seat would also answer claims that Duterte is being denied due process by visibly showing that she has notice, representation, and an available place in the proceedings.
“Ito ang malinaw na sagot sa mga magsasabing hindi siya binibigyan ng pagkakataong idepensa ang kanyang sarili,” Co said.
Co said the prosecution remains focused on evidence, due process, and public accountability, not on turning Duterte’s possible attendance or absence into a political spectacle.
“Ang mahalaga sa amin ay mailatag ang ebidensya, masunod ang proseso, at makita ng publiko na ang pananagutan ay dinadaan sa maayos, makatarungan, at bukas na paglilitis,” she said.