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Advocates Philippines
Sara Skips Day 2 Of Trial, Says She Will Be 'Bloodied But Unbowed'
Photo credit: OVP
Vice President Sara Duterte skipped the second day of her impeachment trial on Tuesday after meeting with her legal team at the Senate, saying she remains ready to face the case despite mounting pressure.
Before leaving the Senate, Duterte made a brief statement to reporters.
"In this bloodbath and bludgeoning, I will be bloodied but unbowed."
Duterte did not stay for the day's proceedings. Her legal spokesperson, Atty. Michael Poa, said the Vice President went to the Senate only to discuss legal strategy with her defense team and was not there to attend the impeachment court session.
During the proceedings, Presiding Officer Sen. Francis Escudero clarified that Duterte's absence did not violate the impeachment rules.
"The impeachment rules do not mandate or require any respondent to attend any hearing. It is up to the respondents. She is represented in this court through her counsel already," Escudero said after private prosecutor Lorna Kapunan raised the issue of Duterte's absence.
Kapunan later said she found the Vice President's remarks to the media inappropriate.
The second day of the impeachment trial shifted to the presentation of evidence, with House prosecutors beginning their case on the article accusing Duterte of making grave threats against President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos, and former Speaker of the House Martin Romualdez. Prosecutors presented video recordings and called their first witness from the National Bureau of Investigation to authenticate the evidence.
The prosecution argues that Duterte's own public statements form a key part of its case. The Vice President, however, has denied all allegations and maintains that the impeachment complaint is politically motivated.
A conviction requires the votes of at least 16 of the Senate's 24 senator-judges. If convicted, Duterte would be removed from office and permanently barred from holding any public office.
Before leaving the Senate, Duterte made a brief statement to reporters.
"In this bloodbath and bludgeoning, I will be bloodied but unbowed."
Duterte did not stay for the day's proceedings. Her legal spokesperson, Atty. Michael Poa, said the Vice President went to the Senate only to discuss legal strategy with her defense team and was not there to attend the impeachment court session.
During the proceedings, Presiding Officer Sen. Francis Escudero clarified that Duterte's absence did not violate the impeachment rules.
"The impeachment rules do not mandate or require any respondent to attend any hearing. It is up to the respondents. She is represented in this court through her counsel already," Escudero said after private prosecutor Lorna Kapunan raised the issue of Duterte's absence.
Kapunan later said she found the Vice President's remarks to the media inappropriate.
The second day of the impeachment trial shifted to the presentation of evidence, with House prosecutors beginning their case on the article accusing Duterte of making grave threats against President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos, and former Speaker of the House Martin Romualdez. Prosecutors presented video recordings and called their first witness from the National Bureau of Investigation to authenticate the evidence.
The prosecution argues that Duterte's own public statements form a key part of its case. The Vice President, however, has denied all allegations and maintains that the impeachment complaint is politically motivated.
A conviction requires the votes of at least 16 of the Senate's 24 senator-judges. If convicted, Duterte would be removed from office and permanently barred from holding any public office.
Jul 7, 2026
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