Vice President Sara Duterte's defense team labeled the House committee on justice's 'mini-trial' as unconstitutional following her decision to skip the initial hearing on two remaining impeachment complaints.
At a press conference in Manila, lawyer Sheila Sison defended Vice President Sara Duterte's and her 16-member legal team's choice to decline the House committee on justice's invitation. Sison argued that the Senate holds the sole authority to conduct impeachment trials under the Constitution. “While Section 3, Paragraph 2, Article 11 (of the Constitution) allows the committee to conduct a hearing for purposes of submitting its report to the House of Representatives within 60 session days… the Senate does not give the committee any power or jurisdiction to conduct any form of trial, whether mini or full, much less receive and try any evidence,” Sison stated. She emphasized that the House lacks jurisdiction for any trial and objected to efforts seeking evidence without constitutional authority. Fellow counsel Michael Poa confirmed he would attend the hearing if subpoenaed. “I will wait for the subpoena, but definitely I’m willing to attend. I don’t have any intention to evade,” Poa said. The team is challenging the panel's jurisdiction and has not decided on approaching the Supreme Court. Duterte, who remains in the country, stated she prioritizes aiding Filipinos over attending. She noted submitting her Answer ad Cautelam, urging dismissal for lack of evidence, and described the hearings as a third fishing expedition with no requirement for personal attendance. “Once again, politics is being prioritized over the welfare of millions of Filipinos who are suffering greatly due to high prices,” she added.
