VP Duterte: No formal summons yet for impeachment trial testimony

Vice President Sara Duterte on Friday said she has not yet received a formal document summoning her to appear as a witness in her impeachment trial before the Senate, which will act as an impeachment court. In an interview in Quezon City, Duterte declined to say whether she would face the impeachment court, even as prosecutors have stated their intention to call her to testify. “Wala pa namang papel o dokumento na nagsasabing kailangan ko mag-appear as a witness for the prosecution,” she said, which translates to “There’s no paper yet or document requiring me to appear as a witness for the prosecution.” Duterte is facing an impeachment trial in connection with allegations of misuse of confidential funds, bribery of public officials, amassing of unexplained wealth, and threats against President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos, and presidential cousin and then-House Speaker Martin Romualdez. The grave threats charge is also being tried criminally before the Quezon City Regional Trial Court Branch 98. On Friday, Duterte personally appeared before the Quezon City court for her arraignment, but it was deferred following a motion from her camp. Meanwhile, the Senate impeachment court is set to decide on Wednesday whether to change the voting threshold required to convict or acquit Duterte, amid the absence and detention of some senators. Duterte said the impeachment court had already agreed at the outset to follow the Constitution. “Nadesisyunan na yun na unang-una pa lang na susundin yung Constitution,” Duterte said of the Senate impeachment court’s looming decision. “Ngayon na bago yung usapan, ibig sabihin, babaguhin nila. Bakit pa ba natin pag-uusapan yun kung hindi babaguhin, ‘di ba?” she added.