VP Sara Duterte will not appear at the hearing of the impeachment complaints.
Lawyer Michael Poa confirmed that VP Sara Duterte is not attending the first hearing of impeachment complaints filed against her.
Atty. Michael Poa shared that Vice President Sara Duterte is not attending the hearing under the House Committee on Justice on Wednesday, March 25. This is the first hearing regarding the impeachment complaints filed against her.
This will mark the start of formal proceedings after lawmakers found the complaints against VP Sara sufficient in form, substance, and grounds.
Instead of appearing in person, Duterte’s camp has opted to address the allegations through official legal filings. Earlier, the vice president submitted her reply to the complaints, urging the panel to dismiss the cases for allegedly lacking a basis. Accordingly, the allegations were not impeachable.
“We confirm that counsel for the Vice President submitted a letter today to the Committee on Justice stating that the Vice President will not be attending the hearing tomorrow, in light of the constitutional objections raised therein,” Poa stated through a message to ABS-CBN News.
Despite her absence, House Committee on Justice Chairperson Gerville Luistro assured that the hearing will push through, as the committee is “duty-bound to continue with its mandate under the Constitution.”
However, her absence means no evidence will be presented to counter the complainant’s allegations.
The House Committee on Justice will continue to invite Duterte to allow her to defend herself until the conclusion of its hearings on the impeachment complaints filed against her.
The committee has also scheduled hearings on April 14, 22, and 29. Luistro said that even if Sara Duterte skips Wednesday’s hearing, she may still attend the next proceedings.
The lawmaker said the complainants may present their evidence and witnesses, while the respondent will be given enough opportunity to contest the allegations.
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