Senate to Decide on Subpoena for VP Duterte in Impeachment Trial

Malacañang on Wednesday said that it is up to the Senate to decide if ever the House prosecution panel requests a subpoena to compel Vice President Sara Duterte to testify in her impeachment trial. Palace Press Officer Usec. Claire Castro said this in a press briefing, following the announcement of the prosecution on Tuesday that it intends to call Duterte to the witness stand to affirm and confirm her allegation of innocence. “Kung ‘yan ang nais ng prosecution at kung papayagan po ito ng Senado, nasa kamay na po ito ng Senado,” Castro said. (If that is what the prosecution wants and if the Senate allows it, then the matter rests with the Senate.) “Hindi natin alam kung ito ang right timing for them. But muli, nasa Senado na ang pagpapasya tungkol diyan,” she added. (We don’t know if this is the right timing for them. But again, the decision regarding that is up to the Senate.) Castro also said that it was Duterte herself who said that she wants a bloodbath amid the allegations against her. “Malamang kaya ito hinihiling ng prosecution ay dahil mismo naman ang Bise Presidente ang nagsabi na gusto niya ng isang bloodbath. At sinabi niya rin naman before handa siyang humarap patungkol dito at liwanagin ang mga isyu na ito,” the Palace official said. (The prosecution is likely making this request because the Vice President herself said she wanted a bloodbath. She also previously stated that she was ready to face the allegations and clarify these issues.) Asked if she thinks the Vice President will attend her own trial should a subpoena be issued, Castro said, “Kung psychologist ako o psychiatrist ako ng Bise Presidente…hindi ko masagot. Hypothetical question.” (If I were the Vice President’s psychologist or psychiatrist... I couldn't answer that. It’s a hypothetical question.) Impeachment court spokesperson Regie Tongol on Tuesday said oral arguments may be conducted if the prosecution panel requests a subpoena to compel Duterte to attend the trial. —AOL, GMA News