Sara Duterte files response to impeachment raps
Vice President Sara Duterte has formally responded to the articles of impeachment against her through her legal counsel.
As seen in photos shared by The Philippine STAR, her lawyer, Atty. Michael Poa, arrived at the Senate carrying five pieces of luggage containing the VP's response to the impeachment raps on Monday, June 1.
"We have raised what we believed in as constitutional infirmities, defects in the procedure, and the deficiency in substantive aspects of these allegations. We feel that the allegations do not rise to the level of impeachable offenses against the vice president. Those are the grounds by which we think dismissal is warranted," Poa said in a press conference.
He added that they are giving senator-judges the benefit of the doubt, regardless of whether they're pro or against Duterte.
"We're not naive to the fact is both a political and a legal process. We believe in the political neutrality of the senator-judges," he said.
Duterte has also asked the Senate to dismiss the impeachment complaint, per Poa.
"We're very confident in our legal position. We're very confident na wala namang nagawang impeachable offense ang ating bise presidente. But these things will depend on pieces of evidence that we presented, the witnesses that will be presenting those pieces of evidence," he added. "We're ready to confront all of these allegations."
The prosecution panel is given five days to submit their answer to Duterte's reply.
11 prosecutors ready
On the same day, Batangas 2nd District Rep. Gerville Luistro said the 11-member prosecution team is ready once the Senate impeachment court proceeds with the case.
“For the 11 prosecutors, rest assured that we are ready to fulfill our mandate under the Constitution,” Luistro said.
Despite reports of a possible June 15 pre-trial conference and July 6 trial start, Luistro said the prosecution has not received formal notice from the impeachment court.
“But we look forward that since the Senate already convened the impeachment court, we are positive na magtutuloy-tuloy ito,” she said. “That July 6, if ever it would be reconsidered, it should be earlier and not later," she added.
“And in as far as the 11 prosecutors is concerned, kami po ay ready, ready to appear before the impeachment court," she said.
She shared that the assignments of the prosecution team are as follows: Manila Rep. Joel Chua will lead the case on the alleged misuse of P612.5 million in confidential funds, Bukidnon Rep. Jonathan Keith Flores will handle alleged bribery, Senior Deputy Majority Leader and Iloilo Rep. Lorenz Defensor will take on alleged grave threats, and Bicol Saro Party-list Rep. Terry Ridon will focus on alleged unexplained wealth.
Luistro added that there may still be changes to the assignments.
The rest of the prosecution team includes Mamamayang Liberal Party-list Rep. Leila de Lima, Akbayan Party-list Rep. Chel Diokno, San Juan City Rep. Ysabel Maria Zamora, Cagayan de Oro 1st District Rep. Lordan Suan, Dinagat Islands Rep. Arlene “Kaka” Bag-ao, and 1-Rider Party-list Rep. Rodge Gutierrez.
Duterte impeachment complaints
The House of Representatives impeached Duterte in February 2025 and then in May 2026, making her the first official in Philippine history to be impeached twice.
Duterte faced a total of four impeachment complaints. The first complaint was filed by a coalition of various organizations on Dec. 2, 2024, but was set aside for violating the one-year bar rule.
The second was filed on Dec. 4 of the same year, but was withdrawn to consolidate support for the third complaint.
The third complaint, backed by ML Party-list Rep. Leila de Lima, charged Duterte with culpable violation of the Constitution, betrayal of public trust, plunder or malversation, bribery, graft and corruption, and other high crimes.
The fourth complaint endorsed by House Deputy Speaker Paolo Ortega and Manila 6th District Rep. Bienvenido Abante, similarly alleged constitutional violations, betrayal of public trust, graft and corruption, and other impeachable offenses.
The House lawmakers voted 257 in favor of her impeachment during its first regular session on May 11. Twenty-five voted against it, while nine abstained.
The Senate formally received the articles of impeachment against the vice president on May 13. Five days later, the upper chamber convened as an impeachment court.
Sen. Erwin Tulfo said that the Senate is eyeing to commence the trial on July 6.
If they find her guilty of the charges, Duterte will be removed from her current post and permanently barred from holding public office.
