NATIONAL
Advocates Philippines
Chua: Sara Trial Moves On With Or Without Her
Photo credit: Congress PH
House impeachment prosecutor Joel Chua said Tuesday that the impeachment trial against Vice President Sara Duterte will continue even if she chooses not to personally appear before the Senate impeachment court.
Speaking during an interview on ANC’s Headstart, Chua explained that the Senate’s writ of summons mainly requires Duterte to respond to the articles of impeachment and formally enter her plea before the court.
“The impeachment court issued a writ of summons because the writ of summons, dalawa ang purpose niyan. 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.
According to Chua, it will ultimately depend on the defense team’s legal strategy whether Duterte personally attends the proceedings, sends her lawyers, or declines to participate entirely.
“Well, that depends on the legal strategy of the defense. So that is not for us to decide. Right now, the vice president is not under our consideration to be our hostile witness,” he added.
Still, Chua clarified that the impeachment process would not stop even if neither Duterte nor her legal team shows up before the Senate court. Under the impeachment rules adopted by the Senate, a plea of not guilty would automatically be entered on her behalf and the trial would proceed.
“Now, in the event that the vice president did not appear in the impeachment trial or her lawyer did not appear or no answer was submitted, the trial will proceed anyway, and a plea of not guilty will be entered for the vice president,” Chua said.
The prosecutor explained that once the pleadings are submitted, the Senate impeachment court will move into pre-trial proceedings where both sides will identify evidence, witnesses, and the issues to be tackled during the actual trial.
“The purpose of the pre-trial is to prevent surprises,” Chua said.
“So ito na ‘yung paguusapan 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,” he added.
Although Duterte is not legally required to testify personally, Chua said many Filipinos are expecting the vice president to directly address the allegations against her.
“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 responded to concerns about the recent leadership changes in the Senate, where several senators are seen as politically aligned with Duterte and could potentially influence the proceedings.
Despite this, he said he still believes the Senate will fulfill its constitutional duty after senators formally convened the impeachment court and took their oath as senator-judges.
“I have no reason right now to believe otherwise,” Chua said.
“Sa ngayon, wala naman tayong aasahan kundi umasa nalang muna that they will do their job and that they will do their constitutional duty,” he added.
Chua stressed that the prosecution panel is simply asking for the opportunity to present its evidence before the Senate court.
“Ang hiling lang namin is for us to be given the opportunity to present our evidence before the Senate trial,” he said.
A conviction in the impeachment case would require at least 16 votes, or two-thirds of the 24 senator-judges. If prosecutors fail to secure the required number, Duterte would be acquitted.
The House of Representatives impeached Duterte for the second time on May 11 after 257 lawmakers voted in favor of the complaint, far exceeding the constitutional requirement needed to elevate the case to the Senate.
The impeachment articles accuse Duterte of allegedly misusing P612.5 million in confidential funds, failing to properly declare assets in her Statements of Assets, Liabilities and Net Worth, committing bribery during her time as Education secretary, and making grave threats against President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos, and former Speaker of the House Ferdinand Martin Romualdez.
Speaking during an interview on ANC’s Headstart, Chua explained that the Senate’s writ of summons mainly requires Duterte to respond to the articles of impeachment and formally enter her plea before the court.
“The impeachment court issued a writ of summons because the writ of summons, dalawa ang purpose niyan. 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.
According to Chua, it will ultimately depend on the defense team’s legal strategy whether Duterte personally attends the proceedings, sends her lawyers, or declines to participate entirely.
“Well, that depends on the legal strategy of the defense. So that is not for us to decide. Right now, the vice president is not under our consideration to be our hostile witness,” he added.
Still, Chua clarified that the impeachment process would not stop even if neither Duterte nor her legal team shows up before the Senate court. Under the impeachment rules adopted by the Senate, a plea of not guilty would automatically be entered on her behalf and the trial would proceed.
“Now, in the event that the vice president did not appear in the impeachment trial or her lawyer did not appear or no answer was submitted, the trial will proceed anyway, and a plea of not guilty will be entered for the vice president,” Chua said.
The prosecutor explained that once the pleadings are submitted, the Senate impeachment court will move into pre-trial proceedings where both sides will identify evidence, witnesses, and the issues to be tackled during the actual trial.
“The purpose of the pre-trial is to prevent surprises,” Chua said.
“So ito na ‘yung paguusapan 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,” he added.
Although Duterte is not legally required to testify personally, Chua said many Filipinos are expecting the vice president to directly address the allegations against her.
“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 responded to concerns about the recent leadership changes in the Senate, where several senators are seen as politically aligned with Duterte and could potentially influence the proceedings.
Despite this, he said he still believes the Senate will fulfill its constitutional duty after senators formally convened the impeachment court and took their oath as senator-judges.
“I have no reason right now to believe otherwise,” Chua said.
“Sa ngayon, wala naman tayong aasahan kundi umasa nalang muna that they will do their job and that they will do their constitutional duty,” he added.
Chua stressed that the prosecution panel is simply asking for the opportunity to present its evidence before the Senate court.
“Ang hiling lang namin is for us to be given the opportunity to present our evidence before the Senate trial,” he said.
A conviction in the impeachment case would require at least 16 votes, or two-thirds of the 24 senator-judges. If prosecutors fail to secure the required number, Duterte would be acquitted.
The House of Representatives impeached Duterte for the second time on May 11 after 257 lawmakers voted in favor of the complaint, far exceeding the constitutional requirement needed to elevate the case to the Senate.
The impeachment articles accuse Duterte of allegedly misusing P612.5 million in confidential funds, failing to properly declare assets in her Statements of Assets, Liabilities and Net Worth, committing bribery during her time as Education secretary, and making grave threats against President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos, and former Speaker of the House Ferdinand Martin Romualdez.
May 19, 2026
We are dedicated storytellers with a passion for bringing your brand to life. Our services range from news and media features to brand promotion and collaborations.
Interested? Visit our
Contact Us page for more information. To learn more about what we offer, check out our latest article on services and opportunities.
