Senate President Chiz Escudero and Vice President Sara Duterte
MANILA, Philippines – Vice President Sara Duterte had earlier stated that she will not lend her presence in the impeachment trial against her but Senate President Chiz Escudero said if developments will require her attendance, the court will make her attend.
“She is free to say what she wants but if she needs to attend, we will make her attend, if she doesn’t need to attend we won’t force her because that’s her right to waive her right to appear, unless it is necessary or needed,” he said Monday.
Escudero however raised the question of Duterte’s representation once she entered her presence in the trial.
“Will she attend as a spectator? Will she attend as a lawyer, lawyering for herself. It depends in what capacity she will attend and she will be accorded the treatment depending on the capacity that she will be attending,” he said.
“As a lawyer, she will sit with the other lawyers, as a witness, she will sit in the witness stand, as a mere spectator, not part of the legal team she will sit in the gallery. Most likely [a] VIP gallery,” he said.
In case Duterte attends as a witness, Escudero said she will sit in the witness stand and will be subject to cross examination. If this happens, the Vice President will be forced to answer all questions thrown at her and her usual evasive stance will not be permitted.
“Any direct testimony must be subject to cross-examination before it is considered admissible. Pwede siya magsalita kung gusto niya pero kung hindi siya mag papa cross examine may karapatang istrike out ‘yung testimonyang yun,” he said.
Escudero said trial for the Vice President’s impeachment will likely commence after President Marcos Jr.’s State of the Nation Address on July 21, also once the 20th Congress officially enters into function.
He dismissed calls for a special session just to get the ball rolling on the trial which he said should be treated as a normal impeachment case.
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Republika News 
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