By Benjamin Cuaresma
MANILA — Vice President Sara Duterte is expected to arrive at the Senate on Tuesday, but her visit will be limited to a closed-door strategy meeting with her legal team and will not include an appearance before the impeachment court as proceedings resume in the afternoon.
The clarification came from Attorney Michael Poa, spokesperson and member of Duterte’s defense panel, who confirmed that the Vice President’s presence at the Senate is solely for consultations with her lawyers.
Poa stressed that Duterte has no plans to attend the impeachment trial session despite being at the Senate complex.
“The Vice President will not be attending the trial. We are here because we have a meeting concerning the Vice President,” Poa said.
Asked why the meeting was being held at the Senate instead of another venue, Poa explained that Duterte chose the location for the convenience of her legal team.
“The Vice President always considers what is most convenient for her lawyers,” he said.
The defense panel is expected to discuss legal strategy as the Senate resumes impeachment proceedings, with prosecutors and defense lawyers preparing for the next phase of the historic trial.
Duterte’s scheduled visit comes amid heightened public attention over the impeachment case, although her legal team emphasized that the meeting should not be interpreted as an indication that she will personally participate in Tuesday’s proceedings.
ia/xf
