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Lawyers for Vice President Sara Duterte, led by Atty. Michael Poa (second from left), carry suitcases containing documents as they submit the Vice President’s formal response to the Articles of Impeachment before the Senate Impeachment Court on June 1, 2026. (Courtesy: Senate of the Philippines)
Vice President Sara Duterte’s defense team on Monday filed their response to the impeachment case with the Senate trial court, raising “significant constitutional, procedural, and substantive issues” in the two complaints against her.
Meanwhile, Batangas 2nd District Rep. Gerville Luistro—head of the House prosecution panel—said prosecutors are ready to file their reply and move to the next phase of the impeachment case ahead of the deadline for her answer to the Articles of Impeachment
In a statement, Duterte’s defense spokesperson, lawyer Michael Poa, said that they would continue to contest these issues before the Supreme Court.
Poa expressed confidence that the Senate would fulfill its constitutional role with “fairness, independence, and adherence to the rule of law.”
In her Answer submitted to the Senate, Duterte argued that the House Committee on Justice’s proceedings constitute a “mini-trial,” which she claims is unconstitutional and solely within the Senate’s jurisdiction.
She also asserted that the House committee’s proceedings appeared biased, citing public statements by some members suggesting they had already secured the necessary votes and evidence for impeachment before completing hearings.
Her Answer also challenged the relevance of records, documents, and allegations related to her tenure as mayor and vice mayor of Davao City, arguing that such allegations cannot be converted into impeachable offenses simply by including them in the current proceedings.
The defense also argued that no final ruling has been made by any competent tribunal on misuse, malversation, plunder, graft, or illegal disbursement of public funds against her, and her Statements of Assets, Liabilities, and Net Worth (SALNs) do not prove any illicit or hidden wealth.
They dismissed claims linking her to political destabilization, sedition, or threats against officials as based on “out-of-context statements, misattributions, or unsupported interpretations.”
The team emphasized that constitutional accountability relies on competent, admissible evidence rather than inference or speculation.
On May 18, the Senate officially convened as an impeachment court to hear the Articles of Impeachment filed against Duterte.
The writ compels Duterte to respond to the impeachment allegations, giving her until June 1 to respond.
The charges include alleged betrayal of public trust, graft and corruption, culpable violation of the Constitution, and other high crimes.
Senate Secretary and concurrent Impeachment Court Clerk of Court Jose Luis Montales officially received the formal answer of Vice President Sara Duterte to the Articles of Impeachment filed against her on Monday, June 1, 2026. (Courtesy: Senate of the Philippines)
In 2025, Duterte initially said she wanted a ‘bloodbath’ during the impeachment trial to bring all evidence against her to light.
Luistro said the 11-member prosecution team is prepared to proceed once the Senate impeachment court moves forward with the case.
“For the 11 prosecutors, rest assured that we are ready to fulfill our mandate under the Constitution,” the lead prosecutor and chair of the House Committee on Justice said during a press conference.
“As soon as we receive the answer from the Vice President, we will be starting to prepare our reply, which is supposed to be filed within the non-extendable period of five days,” she said.
“So hopefully we can finish within the week so that all responsive pleadings are filed now with the impeachment court,” Luistro said.
The prosecution panel is also preparing for the pre-trial conference, where both sides are expected to identify witnesses, stipulate facts and mark documentary evidence before the formal presentation of evidence begins.
“This is supposed to simplify the presentation of evidence and witnesses which will happen during the trial,” Luistro said.
The Articles of Impeachment accuse Duterte of misusing confidential funds, amassing unexplained wealth, bribing Department of Education officials, and threatening President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos and former Speaker Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez.
Despite reports that a pre-trial conference could be held on June 15 and trial proceedings could begin on July 6, Luistro said the prosecution has yet to receive any formal notice from the impeachment court.
“We have no official information, as a matter of fact, whether or not this pre-trial conference will be allowed. And even the first schedule of the trial doesn’t have the official notice from the impeachment court.”
Still, Luistro expressed confidence that the proceedings would continue. She also announced updated assignments within the prosecution panel.
House Senior Deputy Majority Leader and Iloilo 3rd District Rep. Lorenz Defensor will lead the article involving alleged threats; Manila 3rd District Rep. Joel Chua will lead the confidential funds article; Bukidnon 2nd District Rep. Jonathan Keith Flores will lead the bribery article; and Bicol Saro Rep. Terry Ridon will lead the unexplained wealth article.
The remaining members of the prosecution team are Dinagat Islands Rep. Arlene Bag-ao, Mamamayang Liberal Party-list Rep. Leila de Lima, Akbayan Party-list Rep. Chel Diokno, San Juan City Rep. Ysabel Maria Zamora, Cagayan de Oro 1st District Rep. Lordan Suan, and 1-Rider Party-list Rep. Rodge Gutierrez.
Luistro said the assignments could still change as prosecutors refine their trial strategy.
— Katrina Manubay & Maricel Cruz
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Credit belongs to: www.manilastandard.net
