Sara's defense ready for trial, but calls process 'flawed'

Vice President Sara Duterte's defense team is prepared to confront the charges against her in an impeachment trial even as they maintain that the process itself is constitutionally flawed.

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In a statement that reacts to calls for the Senate to swiftly begin the trial, Duterte's lawyers made clear they would not back down from the proceedings while simultaneously challenging their legitimacy.

“We deem it proper to refrain from commenting on matters that are exclusive and internal to the Senate. However, we reiterate our firm position that the initiation of the impeachment process—particularly the Fourth Impeachment Complaint—suffers from serious constitutional infirmities,” Duterte's lawyers said on Monday, June 9.

Despite their objections, the defense team added: “Nevertheless, should the Senate choose to proceed, we stand ready to confront the charges and expose the baselessness of the accusations against the Vice President.”

The lawyers' statement comes as pressure mounts on the Senate to begin the impeachment trial, which has stalled since the House transmitted the articles of impeachment on February 5.