Atin Ito | Ontario’s First Filipino Community Newspaper – Trusted News and Stories for the Filipino-Canadian Community Atin Ito is Ontario’s first Filipino community newspaper, delivering trusted news, stories, and updates for Filipino-Canadians. Stay connected with your community.
This combination of photos shows Presidential Communications Office (PCO) Undersecretary Claire Castro (left) in a press conference at Malacañang and lawyer Michael Poa, legal counsel and spokesperson for Vice President Sara Duterte, speaking to reporters after the opening of the impeachment trial on July 6, 2026. (Courtesy: PCO / Screenshot from GMA News)
Vice President Sara Duterte was a no-show on the first day of her impeachment trial at the Senate.
Meanwhile, Malacañang urged the Vice President to present her defense before the Senate impeachment court instead of issuing public statements attacking President Ferdinand ‘Bongbong” Marcos Jr.
In a press conference, lawyer Michael Poa repeated what the Vice President said in a recent statement: choosing to appear before the impeachment court only through counsel “does not diminish accountability or imply a lack of transparency.”
“In accordance with the impeachment rules, it is her right to appear through counsel,” Poa said. “For now, we can say that she will not attend today. She is appearing through counsel.”
While absent from the trial, the Vice President reacted to a Palace statement quoting President Marcos, Jr. as saying that Duterte’s personal appearance at her impeachment trial would help clarify the issues.
Mr. Marcos did acknowledge that the ultimate decision lies with the vice president and her legal team.
Duterte countered by saying that the opinion of a sitting president carries no weight in an impeachment proceeding, stressing that the trial should be governed by the Constitution, due process, and the rule of law rather than personal views.
“The opinion of a President in an impeachment proceeding is of no importance. Impeachment proceedings must be guided by the Constitution and due process. The respondent has the right to be represented by counsel, and the decision to personally testify is a matter of legal strategy and constitutional rights,” she said.
Mr. Marcos remarked that the impeachment process would be clearer and more straightforward if Duterte addressed the allegations personally, rather than relying on lawyers or other representatives.
He noted that in a similar situation, he would likely insist on appearing to address the accusations, even if his legal team advised against it.
The remark from Presidential Communications Office Undersecretary Claire Castro came after Duterte released a statement saying a president’s opinion “is of no importance” in an impeachment proceeding and that impeachment cases must be guided by the Constitution, due process and the rule of law.
In response, Castro said Duterte should focus on addressing the allegations against her before the impeachment court rather than making statements outside the proceedings.
“Sa impeachment court na lang magpaliwanag at magpahayag si VP Sara ng kanyang mga salaysay (Vice President Sara should explain and make her statements before the impeachment court),” Castro said in a message to Palace reporters.
Castro also challenged Duterte to follow the principles outlined in her own statement.
“VP Sara should practice what she preaches now.”
The Palace official said Duterte’s public remarks criticizing the president would not help clear her name.
“Any statement she makes against the President and the President’s remarks, if made outside the court, will not help clear her name,” Castro said. — Joel E. Zurbano & Charles Dantes
*****
Credit belongs to: www.manilastandard.net
