MANILA — Vice President Sara Duterte-Carpio’s legal team on Monday said it is fully prepared for a possible Senate impeachment trial as the House of Representatives moves closer to transmitting the articles of impeachment following the justice panel’s finding of probable cause.
Lawyer Michael Poa said the Vice President’s 16-member defense panel is ready to confront the allegations and defend Duterte-Carpio once the complaint reaches the Senate.
“We are ready naman po for any eventualities,” Poa said in an interview over DZMM Teleradyo. “We are confident naman po na mabibigyan natin ng solid defense ang ating bise presidente kung sakali man na ma-transmit ito sa Senado.”
The House was set to tackle the impeachment complaint Monday afternoon, with lawmakers expected to deliberate on whether the articles of impeachment should be elevated to the Senate for trial.
Under the Constitution, at least one-third of House members, or 106 lawmakers, must vote in favor for the articles of impeachment to be transmitted.
Poa also rejected claims that there would be constitutional issues if the Senate convenes as an impeachment court once it receives the complaint.
He made the statement amid several petitions filed before the Supreme Court seeking to stop the impeachment proceedings through a temporary restraining order.
One petition filed by a group of lawyers accused House Justice Committee chairperson Gerville Luistro and Speaker Faustino “Bojie” Dy III of allegedly exceeding their constitutional authority during the impeachment proceedings.
Despite the legal challenges, Poa said Duterte-Carpio is prepared to personally attend the impeachment proceedings if necessary.
“Definitely we’ll participate in the Senate. Kung kinakailangan mang humarap ang ating bise presidente, darating po tayo dyan,” he said.
The impeachment case against Duterte-Carpio has intensified political tensions between allies of the Vice President and administration lawmakers, with the outcome expected to shape the country’s political landscape ahead of the 2028 national elections./PN
