Senate of the Philippines. Photo courtesy of PNA.
Senate President Sherwin Gatchalian said the chamber is ready if Vice President Sara Duterte personally attends the opening of her impeachment trial on Monday.
Gatchalian said Duterte’s camp had not yet informed the Senate whether she would appear on the first day of the proceedings.
He said the Senate, convening as an impeachment court, was preparing for all possible scenarios, including any last-minute coordination.
Under the rules, Gatchalian said Duterte may appear through a lawyer or representative, making her formal invitation part of the impeachment process.
He said it was not unusual for coordination on attendance to happen on the day of the proceedings or even hours before the trial begins.
Gatchalian said the Senate was also coordinating with police in case the Vice President decides to go to the chamber.
Duterte’s lawyer, Michael Poa, earlier said the Vice President was ready to attend the trial if her presence becomes necessary.
Gatchalian said senator-judges should avoid friendly gestures toward Duterte while the proceedings are ongoing, noting that the trial is a formal quasi-judicial and quasi-political process, although senators cannot be prevented from greeting her after the proceedings.