Vice President Sara Duterte will not personally attend the opening day of her impeachment trial, her defense camp said Monday.
Lawyer Michael Poa, spokesperson for Duterte’s defense counsel, said the vice president would appear before the impeachment court through her lawyers.
Poa said Duterte’s decision was consistent with the impeachment rules, which allow her to be represented by counsel.
He cited Duterte’s earlier statement that appearing through lawyers does not lessen accountability or mean a lack of transparency.
The impeachment court had invited Duterte to attend the trial proper in person.
Poa said that, for Monday’s proceedings, Duterte would not be present at the Senate.
Duterte’s impeachment trial opened as the Senate convened as an impeachment court.
The proceedings are expected to cover 92 trial days and could extend until early 2027.