VP Sara Duterte's lawyers: Impeachment process 'not a political tool'

The defense team of Vice President Sara Duterte stood firm Monday that they are ready to face the charges should the impeachment trial proceed, but stressed that the process should not be used as a weapon to harass political opponents. 

READ: The defense team of Vice President Sara Duterte issues a statement amid calls for Senate to proceed with impeachment trial. @gmanews pic.twitter.com/gd6fIsjowq

— Giselle Ombay (@giselleombay_) June 9, 2025

Duterte’s lawyers issued the statement amid calls for the Senate to immediately proceed with the impeachment trial.

“We deem it proper to refrain from commenting on matters that are exclusive and internal to the Senate. However, we reiterate our firm position that the initiation of the impeachment process—particularly the Fourth Impeachment Complaint—suffers from serious constitutional infirmities,” the defense team said. 

The Vice President's lawyers further maintained that the impeachment process “must never be weaponized to harass, silence, or eliminate political opponents.”

“It is a constitutional mechanism, not a political tool,” the defense team added. 

Should the Senate decide to proceed with the impeachment proceedings, Duterte’s lawyers said that they are ready to face the charges against the Vice President and “expose the baselessness of the accusations” against her.

The House of Representatives impeached Duterte on February 5, with over 200 lawmakers endorsing the complaint.

On the same day, the Articles of Impeachment were transmitted to the Senate but the upper chamber adjourned without addressing the case.

Duterte was accused of betrayal of public trust, culpable violation of the constitution, graft and corruption, and other high crimes. 

The Vice President has since denied the allegations. 

Impeachment trial

On February 25, Senate President Francis “Chiz” Escudero said the processes related to Duterte's impeachment trial would start on June 2.

But on May 29, Escudero said the presentation of the Articles of Impeachment before the Senate was moved to June 11 to prioritize the passage of the items in the administration's legislative agenda before the end of 19th Congress. 

Senator Ronald "Bato" dela Rosa recently said that he and other senators are working on their drafts of a Senate resolution seeking to dismiss the impeachment case against Duterte.

On Monday, however, Escudero said there is still no resolution filed seeking to dismiss the impeachment case. 

Among the groups and personalities pushing for the start of the impeachment trial are: the deans of Ateneo schools, Lasallian Family, Adamson University, University of Santo Tomas, former Supreme Court Associate Justice Adolf Azcuna, Ateneo School of Government, and members of the UP College of Law. — RSJ, GMA Integrated News