Malacañang calls on VP Sara to show up at her trial and face her accusers

As the Senate Impeachment Court has summoned Vice President Sara Duterte to face her trial, Palace Press Officer Undersecretary Claire Castro believes it is best for the Vice President to face her accusers.

The Vice President once said she is looking forward to a trial, and wants a bloodbath.

“Noon naman po niya sinabi na she wants bloodbath. At dito mapapakita, ano ang kakayanan ng bise presidente upang sumagot sa mga katanungan, para harapin ang kanyang mga witnesses, yung mga witnesses against her, mga testigo na maaaring magsabi ng mga statements na hindi papabor sa kanya. Yan naman po ay karapatan ng isang respondent, ng isang defendant, maski na rin ng isang akusado, na harapin,” Castro said.

(She stated before that she wanted a bloodbath. And this is where the Vice President’s capability to answer questions and confront witnesses—specifically those testifying against her, or those who might make statements unfavorable to her—will be demonstrated. After all, it is the right of a respondent, a defendant, or even an accused person to confront them.)

The Vice President snubbed all summons by the House Justice committee and maintained that only the Senate impeachment court has the mandate to try her.

Her defense team has yet to confirm if she will heed the summons. Castro dared her lawyers to present the VP if they think their client is innocent.

“Mas magandang maipakita to sa buong mga kababayan natin at sa buong mundo na ang bise presidente ay malinis. Kung yan ang gusto nila ipakita,” said Castro.

(It would be better to show our fellow citizens and the entire world that the Vice President is clean—if that is what they want to demonstrate.)

GMA News Onlline has reached out to Duterte's camp for comment but it has yet to reply as of posting time.

In a notice dated July 2, Duterte was directed to appear before the impeachment court on July 6 pursuant to Rule 7 of the Rules of Procedure on Impeachment Trials and in accordance to the writ of summons issued against her on May 19.

"You are hereby notified that trial will commence on the 6th day of July at 2 o'clock in the afternoon, and are further directed to appear on said date, in person or through counsel, before the Impeachment Court at the Session Hall of the Senate of the Philippines, Pasay City," the notice reads.

Duterte's impeachment trial will begin at 2 p.m. on Monday, July 6. It will initially be held weekly from Monday to Wednesday at 2 p.m. before the fifth State of the Nation Address (SONA) of President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. on July 27. Proceedings will be adjusted to Tuesdays to Thursdays at 2 p.m. after the SONA.

Duterte is facing impeachment charges over allegations of culpable violation of the Constitution, graft and corruption, betrayal of public trust, bribery, and other high crimes. —BAP/ VAL, GMA News