Vice President Sara Duterte on Tuesday declared she would remain “bloodied but unbowed” as her impeachment trial continues in the Senate.
Duterte briefly visited the Senate to meet with her defense lawyers but did not attend the day’s impeachment proceedings.
“In this bloodbath and bludgeoning, I will be bloodied but unbowed,” Duterte told reporters before leaving without taking questions.
Earlier, defense spokesperson Atty. Michael Poa confirmed that the Vice President’s visit was solely for a meeting with her legal team.
“Yes, I can confirm na dadating si Vice President Sara Duterte in a few minutes, but she will only be here for a meeting with the defense team,” Poa said.
He explained that Duterte and her lawyers met at the defense team’s holding room to discuss matters related to the case, but she would not participate in Tuesday’s hearing.
“Meron kaming napag-usapan na magkikita kami today dito sa holding room ng defense team para magpaliwanag ang ilang bagay-bagay, but she will not be attending the hearing, the scheduled hearing this afternoon,” Poa said.
According to Poa, Duterte had prior official engagements, including preparations for the Office of the Vice President’s response to an incoming tropical cyclone.
He also denied claims that the Vice President was avoiding the impeachment proceedings, stressing that her legal team remains actively participating in the trial.
“Yes, hindi po (iniiwasan ni Duterte ang impeachment trial) kaya nga po nandito ‘yung mga abogado niya. Kung umiwas po kami eh baka hindi na kami lumahok sa Senado,” Poa said.
He added that Duterte would personally attend the trial if necessary, upon the advice of her lawyers.
The Vice President’s impeachment trial formally opened on July 6, with Senate President Francis Escudero elected as presiding officer of the impeachment court.
The House of Representatives impeached Duterte in May over allegations of culpable violation of the Constitution, graft and corruption, bribery, betrayal of public trust, and other high crimes.
The Senate convened as an impeachment court on May 18, while Duterte’s camp filed its answer to the Articles of Impeachment on June 1, asking the court to dismiss the case.
