MANILA – House impeachment prosecutor Joel Chua of Manila said Tuesday that the impeachment trial against Vice President Sara Z. Duterte will proceed even if she opts not to personally appear before the Senate impeachment court.

In a televised interview, Chua explained that under impeachment rules, the Senate’s writ of summons requires the Vice President to submit her answer to the articles of impeachment and enter a plea before the court.

“The impeachment court issued a writ of summons, because the writ of summons, dalawa ang purpose niyan (it has two purposes). One is for the Vice President to appear before the impeachment court and the other one, for her to submit the answer within 10 days,” Chua said.

He added that Duterte may appear in person, authorize her lawyers to represent her, or decline to participate as part of her legal strategy.

“Well, that depends on the legal strategy of the defense. That is not for us to decide. Right now, the vice president is not under our consideration to be our hostile witness,” he said.

Chua said that even if neither Duterte nor her legal team appears, proceedings will continue and the court will automatically enter a plea of not guilty on her behalf.

He cited Senate Resolution No. 39, which contains the rules of procedure governing impeachment trials for the 20th Congress.

After the submission of pleadings, the impeachment court will proceed to pre-trial, where issues, evidence, and witnesses will be identified before the formal trial begins.

“The purpose of the pre-trial is to prevent surprises,” Chua said. “So, ito na ‘yung paguusapan (this is where we discuss) what are the issues to be tackled during the trial proper. So here, there will be marking of evidence, there will be identification of the issues at saka ‘yung mga witnesses (and the witnesses).”

While Duterte is not required to testify, Chua said public demand for clarification on the allegations remains strong.

“I don’t think it will help on their part. Considering that people are asking for her explanation. So, I think it would be best on the part of the vice president to explain everything,” he said.

Chua also addressed concerns about the current Senate leadership, noting that members of the majority bloc are seen as politically aligned with Duterte and may move to halt proceedings.

Despite this, he said he is giving the Senate the benefit of the doubt after senators formally convened as an impeachment court and took their oath as impartial judges.

“I have no reason right now to believe otherwise,” Chua said.

“Ang hiling lang namin (Our only request) is for us to be given the opportunity to present our evidence before the Senate trial,” he added.

A two-thirds vote, or at least 16 of the 24 senator-judges, is needed to convict Duterte. Failure to secure the required votes would result in acquittal.

The articles of impeachment allege misuse of PHP612.5 million in confidential funds, failure to properly disclose net worth, alleged bribery during her time as Education secretary, and grave threats against President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos, and former Speaker Martin Romualdez.