Lawyers for Vice President Sara Duterte were not consulted by a group that petitioned the Supreme Court to halt impeachment proceedings against her in the House justice committee. Duterte's lawyer Michael Poa said they were surprised by the filing. The panel has scheduled hearings in April.
A group of 10 lawyers led by Israelito Torreon filed a petition for certiorari and prohibition, along with a request for a temporary restraining order, against House justice panel chair Gerville Luistro and Speaker Faustino Dy III. Duterte lawyer Michael Poa told Bilyonaryo News Channel that no one from the group contacted them and they were surprised by the filing that day.
Poa explained that the defense team is deliberately not reading the petition to preserve their own strategy. He confirmed he will attend the House justice panel hearing on April 14 following a subpoena issued against him. He noted knowing some in the group personally but emphasized they were not consulted, a point also raised by the vice president herself.
UP College of Law assistant professor Michael Tiu Jr. said the justice panel followed proper procedures with no violations observed. Justice panel vice chair Rep. Jonathan Keith Flores indicated they might complete the probable cause stage as early as April, with hearings set for April 14, 22, and 29. Tiu suggested the vice president's camp was aware of Torreon's plans despite public denials.
