Vice President Sara Duterte has formally answered the Articles of Impeachment against her, with her legal team arguing that the case is “constitutionally infirm, procedurally defective, and substantively deficient” as the Senate impeachment process moves forward.
In her answer, Duterte’s lawyers asked that the case be dismissed, arguing that the House of Representatives exceeded its constitutional role during the impeachment proceedings. The defense, led by Michael Poa, said the House Committee on Justice conducted actions that should be reserved for the Senate sitting as an impeachment court.
The defense argued that the House effectively held a “mini trial” by receiving evidence, examining witnesses, issuing subpoenas, and making credibility assessments before the case reached the Senate. According to Duterte’s lawyers, these functions belong to the impeachment court rather than the House.
Duterte’s legal team also claimed the proceedings were “tainted by prejudgment,” arguing that statements made during the House process showed that some lawmakers had already formed conclusions before the proceedings were completed. The defense further argued that portions of the Articles of Impeachment relied on “speculation, political rhetoric and unauthorized evidentiary fishing expeditions” rather than clear proof.
Another key argument raised by the vice president’s lawyers concerns allegations tied to periods when Duterte served as mayor and vice mayor of Davao City. The defense contends that allegations involving positions that are not constitutionally impeachable should not be used as grounds for impeachment.
The House prosecution panel disagreed with the defense’s position. Batangas Rep. Gerville Luistro said Duterte’s answer focused on technical and procedural issues and did not directly address the allegations contained in the Articles of Impeachment.
The filing comes after the Supreme Court nullified the 2025 impeachment complaint against Duterte over violations of the constitutional one-year bar rule. Following the lapse of that prohibition period, new impeachment complaints were filed and later consolidated by the House Committee on Justice, which voted to find probable cause and transmit Articles of Impeachment for Senate proceedings.
With Duterte’s answer now on record, the legal battle shifts toward the Senate impeachment court, where both the defense and prosecution are expected to argue whether the Articles of Impeachment should proceed to a full trial.
