Lawyer Raul Lambino. Photo: Izel Abanilla 

MANILA, Philippines – Senatorial candidate, lawyer Raul Lambino said he would oppose the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte if he makes it in the midterm elections. 

“I am going to strongly argue if I am elected senator against the impeachment of VP Sara if the basis will be the same impeachment case or the articles of impeachment that was filed last February 5, 2025,” Lambino said in a forum Monday. 

Lambino, a constitutional law professor, said the impeachment of the vice president is a purely political ball game where evidence for or against will no longer matter because votes are already cast even before the trial. 

“Let’s tell the truth, itong impeachment case this is not judicial, this is not based on evidence, it is political. It’s always a political exercise,” he said. 

“So if this is political, regardless of what evidence will be presented by both sides alam na ng mga senators ang kanilang iboboto diyan start palang,” he said. 

The aspiring lawmaker said the decisions of the senators as well as the influence of the Malacanang Palace cannot be denied in Duterte’s impeachment. 

“Alam na ‘yan, it cannot be denied. They can say all things like what they did to Chief Justice Renato Corona pero klarong-klaro. And the influence of the Palace in decisions of the senators because this is political will have a great weight in so far as the outcome of the vote because this is purely political,” he said. 

Lambino, a member of former President Rodrigo Duterte’s local defense team, is among the most vocal critics of the controversial arrest of the ex-state chief. 

He slammed the government for supposed numerous violations of the former leader’s constitutional rights.