MANILA – The House prosecution panel on Monday said the possible personal appearance of Vice President Sara Duterte at the Senate impeachment trial would not affect its presentation of evidence or overall trial strategy.

The statement came following speculation that Duterte may attend the proceedings after members of her camp indicated that such a move was being considered.

During a press briefing at the Senate, House prosecution spokesperson and adviser, former Surigao del Norte Rep. Robert Ace Barbers, said the panel had long prepared for the evidentiary stage of the trial and would proceed as planned regardless of who is present inside the courtroom.

“Well, sa tingin ko, hindi naman makakaapekto ’yun. Dahil (I think it won’t affect anything. Because) as we always say and always state that the prosecution team is prepared to do their direct examination sa witnesses at mga ebidensyang inilatag natin (to the witnesses and the evidence presented),” Barbers said.

“So kahit sinong umattend, wala naman pong epekto ’yan sa pag-conduct ng direct examination doon sa ating witnesses (whoever will attend has no effect on the conduct of direct examination of our witnesses),” he added.

Barbers said Duterte’s attendance could instead give the public an opportunity to hear her response to the allegations contained in the Articles of Impeachment.

“Sa aking palagay, mas makakabuti na umattend ang ating pangalawang pangulo nang sa gayon, marinig natin kung ano ang sagot doon sa mga alegasyon na inilatag dito sa Articles of Impeachment na inihain ng ating House of Representatives (In my opinion, it would be better for the Vice President to attend so that we can hear her response to the allegations presented in the Articles of Impeachment filed by the House of Representatives),” he said.

Lawyer Benjamin “Jay” Tolosa Jr., legal spokesperson and counsel for the House prosecution, likewise said the panel’s approach would remain unchanged regardless of whether Duterte attends the hearings.

“Again, regardless of who will be there, respondent or anyone else, the strategy of the prosecution remains the same, that we’ll present evidence in a proper and efficient and effective manner,” Tolosa said.

He added that Duterte’s appearance, if she chooses to attend, would demonstrate respect for the constitutional process and allow the public to hear her side.

“At the very least, this will show that she’s finally heeding the call of the people, asking her to show respect to the constitutional process and to the impeachment court by facing these charges in person, and letting the people hear how she will answer these serious allegations,” Tolosa said.

House prosecution spokesperson and Lanao del Sur Rep. Zia Alonto Adiong also said Duterte’s attendance would provide her with the proper venue to respond to the accusations against her.

He also dismissed suggestions that the Vice President’s presence could intimidate members of the prosecution panel.

“Nobody gets intimidated,” he said.

“Ang pinag-uusapan dito ‘yung proseso ng trial, ‘yung pananagutan ng trial. Ang pinag-uusapan po rito ay paano ilatag ang proseso, paano ilatag ang kaso, paano sagutin ang kaso (The issue here is the trial process, the accountability involved. The issue is how we present the process and the case, as well as how the case is answered),” he added.

Adiong said the prosecution hopes Duterte’s possible attendance would reflect her commitment to addressing the impeachment complaint.

“Siya naman po ‘yung nagsasalita from the very start na ready na po sila sumagot ng kaso (She was the one who keeps saying from the very start that they are ready to answer the case). So, we take that as a sign that she will take her case, her trial seriously by attending in the coming days sana,” he said.