The House prosecution panel said Vice President Sara Duterte may eventually be called to testify in the ongoing impeachment trial over the allegations contained in the Articles of Impeachment.
During a press briefing, House Prosecution Legal Spokesperson Atty. Benjamin Tolosa Jr. said Duterte’s presence at the proceedings alone would not be enough if the prosecution decides to present her as a witness.
Tolosa said the vice president could not simply attend the trial as a spectator or remain beside her staff while the proceedings continue.
He said Duterte would eventually have to personally address the serious allegations against her, adding that doing so would also allow the public to hear her explanations directly.
However, Tolosa said the prosecution is still determining whether Duterte could provide material and relevant testimony. He said prosecutors are carefully weighing the potential benefits and risks of calling her to the witness stand.
He also clarified that even if Duterte appears before the impeachment court, the prosecution cannot immediately compel her to testify because the court’s five-day notice rule remains in effect.
Meanwhile, Tolosa said the prosecution expects cooperation from Office of the Vice President Chief of Staff Atty. Zuleika Lopez and expressed confidence that she would respect the impeachment proceedings as a member of the legal profession.
The House prosecution also plans to ask the impeachment court to declare Lopez a hostile witness.
According to Tolosa, such a declaration would allow prosecutors to ask leading questions during her testimony, similar to the process used in cross-examination.
He emphasized that the prosecution does not consider having a hostile witness an advantage, but said it is simply prepared to follow the applicable rules governing the proceedings.
The impeachment trial continues as the court hears witnesses and evaluates evidence related to the Articles of Impeachment.
