VICE President Sara Duterte, who was recently impeached by the House of Representatives, has welcomed her father, former President Rodrigo Duterte, to her defense team.
However, she clarified that he would not serve as lead counsel due to his age.
During a press conference on Friday, February 7, the Vice President discussed her legal preparations for the upcoming impeachment trial in the Senate.
“Well, he is welcome. He is a lawyer, so he is welcome to give his advice and input in the defense,” she said when asked about her father’s involvement.
She noted that the former president would be turning 80 next month.
“He may want to be part of the defense team, and that’s fine, but because of his age and the rigorous preparations required for an impeachment case, I might tell him not to take the lead role,” she explained.
Duterte also revealed that she had reassured her father not to worry about her impeachment.
“I haven’t spoken to him directly, but I sent a message through his assistant. What did I say? I can’t even remember. I think I said, ‘Everything will be alright,’” she shared.
The former president responded by sending her a video of himself singing MacArthur Park.
Vice President Duterte was impeached by the House of Representatives on Wednesday, February 5, after 215 lawmakers signed the fourth impeachment complaint against her. That number has since grown to 240, with 25 more lawmakers joining in support.
The Articles of Impeachment were immediately transmitted to the Senate, but the upper chamber went into recess without addressing the issue. The Senate is set to resume session in June.
The verified impeachment complaint lists seven charges against Duterte, including:
- Betrayal of public trust for allegedly making an assassination threat against President Marcos, First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos, and House Speaker Martin Romualdez.
- Betrayal of public trust and graft and corruption for alleged misuse of public funds.
- Betrayal of public trust and bribery in connection with the Department of Education (DepEd).
- Violation of the Constitution and betrayal of public trust due to alleged unexplained wealth.
- Commission of high crimes for alleged involvement in extrajudicial killings.
- Betrayal of public trust for allegedly participating in destabilization plots.
- Betrayal of public trust for alleged misconduct as Vice President.