House Yet to Subpoena Sara Duterte in Impeachment Trial

MANILA, Philippines — House prosecutors have yet to ask the Senate impeachment court to subpoena Vice President Sara Duterte to testify in her impeachment trial, a private prosecutor and legal spokesperson for the panel said Monday, July 13. Benjamin Tolosa Jr. told reporters that the prosecution had not yet filed the motion, but may do so if it decides to seek Duterte's testimony. "I don't think we've filed it at this time, not yet," Tolosa said. Tolosa said the motion would be filed once the prosecution seeks Duterte's testimony, with the final decision resting with the Senate impeachment court. "Technically this is not a criminal case. So, she is not an accused, not a respondent," Tolosa said. "So, yung right against self-incrimination, you cannot invoke this to even take a stand," he added. ("So, the right against self-incrimination, you cannot invoke this to even take a stand.") Tolosa said Duterte's testimony would be highly relevant, not only to the article involving alleged threats but also to all articles of impeachment. Duterte went to the Senate on July 7 and briefly spoke to reporters for about five minutes, but did not appear before the impeachment court. At a separate press briefing, defense spokesperson Michael Poa said the defense team was uncertain when Duterte would appear before the impeachment court. The Senate impeachment court is set to continue hearing the grave threats allegations under Article IV of the Articles of Impeachment on Monday. National Bureau of Investigation agent Jeremy Lotoc is expected to take the witness stand.