THE House prosecution panel has formally requested the Senate to summon Vice President Sara Duterte to respond to the allegations against her in the articles of impeachment, which include bribery, graft and corruption, and betrayal of public trust.
In a motion filed on Tuesday, the prosecution team urged the Senate to compel Duterte to submit her response within a strict 10-day deadline upon receiving the writ of summons.
House prosecutors Marcelino Libanan and Ramon Gutierrez led the filing, addressing the request to Senate President Francis “Chiz” Escudero, who will preside over the impeachment trial.
The motion cited Rule VII of Resolution 39, which mandates that an impeached official must be notified and given 10 days to respond to an impeachment complaint.
“The Supreme Court has established that these rules remain valid until amended or repealed and must be upheld even in subsequent Congresses,” the document stated.
It further emphasized the Senate’s constitutional duty to proceed with the impeachment trial without delay.
Duterte’s Absence and Impeachment Charges
VP Duterte is currently in The Hague, Netherlands, assisting in the legal defense of her father, former President Rodrigo Duterte, who is detained at the International Criminal Court (ICC) for alleged crimes against humanity linked to his controversial war on drugs.
She previously stated she would only return to the Philippines once a relative arrives to take her place.
On February 5, the House of Representatives voted overwhelmingly—215 lawmakers in favor, more than double the required 102 votes—to endorse Duterte’s impeachment to the Senate.
The charges against her include:
- Betrayal of public trust
- Culpable violation of the Constitution
- Bribery, graft, and corruption
- High crimes
The impeachment case is primarily based on allegations that Duterte conspired to assassinate President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., First Lady Liza Marcos, and Speaker Martin Romualdez.
Additionally, she is accused of misappropriating ₱612.5 million in confidential funds allocated to her office and the Department of Education during her tenure as secretary.
Senate Trial and Possible Consequences
According to the Senate’s timetable, the impeachment trial will begin on June 30, after the new Congress convenes and 12 newly elected senators are sworn in.
For Duterte to be convicted, at least 16 of the 24 senators must vote in favor.
A conviction would permanently bar her from holding public office, potentially derailing her rumored 2028 presidential ambitions.
Duterte has consistently denied the allegations, calling them a “well-funded, coordinated political attack” aimed at ending her political career.
Legal Challenge at the Supreme Court
Earlier, Duterte and a group of Mindanao-based lawyers, who are allies of her father, filed a petition before the Supreme Court seeking a temporary restraining order (TRO) to block the Senate from proceeding with the impeachment trial.
They argued that the impeachment articles submitted by the House were flawed and unconstitutional, making the case invalid.
With the trial date approaching, all eyes are now on the Senate as the country braces for a high-stakes legal and political showdown.