Sara Duterte's Senate appearance part of defense strategy, says ex-law dean

Vice President Sara Duterte's brief appearance at the Senate on the second day of her impeachment trial could be part of her defense team's legal strategy, former Far Eastern University law dean Mel Sta. Maria said.

Duterte arrived at the Senate on Tuesday, hours before the impeachment proceedings resumed, to meet with her lawyers and briefly address reporters.

“Talagang the emotion [and] the temperature increased. Talagang may epekto talaga. Siguro pagdating niya doon siguro nalaman din 'to ng mga husgado, no? Ano kaya, mananatili ba siya o hindi? Pero sabi niya hindi siya mananatili,” Sta. Maria said in an interview with GMA News' Pia Arcangel.

(The emotion and the temperature definitely went up. It really had an impact. When she arrived, the senator-judges likely took notice and wondered whether she would stay or not. But she said she would not remain.)

According to defense spokesperson Atty. Michael Poa, Duterte was not attending the day's proceedings and had only gone to the Senate to confer with her defense team.

Sta. Maria said the appearance could have been intended to counter the prosecution's narrative that the Vice President was unwilling to attend the trial or face the accusations against her, as reflected in its motion on Monday to arraign Duterte.

“Yes, tingin ko part of the strategy—kasi kahapon nagmungkahi silang ipa-arraign si Vice President, pero hindi nga pinahintulutan. Pero tingin ko noon, strategy 'yon ng prosecution para ma-maintain 'yung perception na hindi siya uma-attend, ayaw niyang harapin,” Sta. Maria said.

(Yes, I think it's part of the strategy. Yesterday, they sought to have the Vice President arraigned, but that was not allowed. I viewed that as a prosecution strategy to maintain the perception that she was not attending and did not want to face the charges.)

“Ngayon naman nakita 'to ng defense—'Okay, 'yun pala ang gusto nila, pa-attendin natin siya kahit na briefly,'” he added.

(Now the defense saw that and thought, "Okay, if that's what they want, let's have her appear, even if only briefly.")

Sta. Maria said the prosecution and defense were engaged in a "chess match," with each side trying to shape public perception.

“So, talagang chess match e kasi meron silang mine-maintain na perception 'yung dalawang panig. 'Yung isang panig, 'Ayaw niyang humarap sa mga accusers niya,' 'yung kabilang panig, 'Anong ayaw humarap? Nandito 'yan, pupunta 'yan,'” he said.

(It really is a chess match because both sides are trying to maintain a certain perception. One side is saying, "She doesn't want to face her accusers," while the other side counters, "What do you mean she won't face them? She's here. She'll show up.")

Sta. Maria also said Duterte's appearance could influence how some senator-judges view the impeachment case.

“May impact 'yan in terms of sa mga [senator] judges. Baka isipin ng mga judges o kaya 'yung mga pumaling na judges sa kabilang panig, 'Okay mag-iisip pa ko ulit' o baka to consolidate yung mga natitirang judges,” he said.

(That could have an impact on the senator-judges. Some may think, "Okay, I'll reconsider," while it could also consolidate support among those already inclined to her side.)

He added that Duterte's appearance could also send a message to senator-judges who may be skeptical of her.

“At para rin siyempre, eye-to-eye o malaman ng kabilang mga judges naman na medyo opposed sa kaniya na 'I am not evading this, as a matter of fact this is a manifestation of my deference to the institution,'” he said.

(It is also a way of showing, face-to-face, especially to judges who may be opposed to her, that "I am not evading this. As a matter of fact, this is a manifestation of my deference to the institution.")

The second day of Duterte's impeachment trial was expected to focus on Article IV of the Articles of Impeachment, which concerns her alleged grave threats and assassination plot against President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos, and former House Speaker Martin Romualdez.— MCG, GMA News