MANILA — With her impeachment trial fast approaching, Vice President Sara Duterte-Carpio said she has placed her legal fate entirely in the hands of her lawyers, stressing that her defense team will determine the strategy and key decisions in the high-stakes proceedings before the Senate Impeachment Court.
Duterte-Carpio made the statement in an interview in General Santos City after visiting communities affected by the recent earthquake in Mindanao, as preparations intensify for the impeachment proceedings set to begin next month.
Asked about her preparations for the trial, the Vice President said she has already entrusted the handling of the case to her legal counsels.
“Ang preparation, ang paghahanda ng impeachment trial ay iniwan ko na sa mga abogado. Sinabihan ko na rin sila na susunod na lamang ako sa kung ano ‘yung desisyon ng mga abogado,” she said.
Despite being a lawyer herself, Duterte-Carpio said she deliberately chose to defer to her legal team and follow their judgment on how best to defend her against the charges.
She said she had initially considered various options for her defense but decided that a streamlined legal team would be more effective in navigating the impeachment process.
“Kasi ako bilang abogado, meron din akong mga iniisip, meron din akong mga gustong gawin pero sa aking estado na ngayon ako ay client, klinaro ko ‘yun sa mga abogado na gawin nating maliit lang ‘yung team para madaling makapag-usap at kung ano ‘yung sa tingin nilang pinakatama at pinakamabisa at pinakamagaling na paraan ng kanilang defense ay susunod lang ako bilang kliyente nila,” she said.
The Senate Impeachment Court has scheduled a closed-door pre-trial conference on June 18, according to notices received by the House prosecution panel. The proceeding will not be open to the media or the public.
The impeachment trial is scheduled to formally begin on July 6, when senators, sitting as an impeachment court, will hear the case against the Vice President.
Duterte-Carpio is facing impeachment charges approved by the House of Representatives. House prosecutors are currently finalizing their pre-trial submissions in preparation for the proceedings.
The outcome of the trial will determine whether the Vice President will be acquitted or convicted of the charges contained in the Articles of Impeachment./PN
