The defense team of Sara Duterte announced on Monday that the Philippine vice president has formally submitted her answer to the Articles of Impeachment before the Senate, which is currently sitting as an impeachment court. In a statement, Sara's lawyers stated that the Answer outlines her defenses and raises significant constitutional, procedural, and substantive issues concerning the impeachment proceedings initiated by the House of Representatives and its Committee on Justice.
Key Points in the Answer
The legal team emphasized that the matters raised in the Answer should be addressed within the impeachment court rather than through public discourse. They argued that the issues involve critical legal questions that require judicial scrutiny.
Senate Proceedings
On May 18, the Philippine Senate convened as an impeachment court to try the case against Sara. Senate President Alan Peter Cayetano ordered a summons to be issued, requiring Sara to file her answer within a non-extendible 10-day period from receipt of the summons and to appear before the Senate upon notice.
Background
Sara, the daughter of former President Rodrigo Duterte, announced her candidacy for the 2028 Philippine presidential election in February this year. If more than two-thirds of senators vote in favor of impeachment, she will be convicted, removed from office, and permanently disqualified from holding public office.
In a related development, Philippine Senator Estrada has been detained in a graft case, adding to the political landscape in the country.
