IN WHAT LOOKS more like a teaser, Vice President Sara Duterte made a surprise visit on Tuesday at the Senate — but not to attend the impeachment hearing of cases filed against her.
Duterte arrived at the Senate at noon past 12 noon. Upon arrival, Duterte met with lawyers forming part of her defense team. Moments later, the vice president, accompanied by her lawyers, delivered a short statement:
“In this bloodbath and bludgeoning, I will be bloodied but unbowed,” she told reporters.
Previously, Duterte repeatedly bragged about her desire to defend herself once the impeachment case is elevated to the Senate.
Earlier in the day, Duterte’s security team was spotted on the Senate premises.
Meanwhile, lawyer Michael Poa who forms part of Duterte’s defense team said that the vice president will not appear before the impeachment court despite already being at the Senate’
“She will not be attending the scheduled hearing this afternoon, she has commitments… she will have to proceed with her engagements after the meeting,” Poa told reporters.
Asked why they decided to hold the meeting at the Senate, Poa said Duterte herself made the decision “not to inconvenience” her lawyers.
“The Vice President has always been the type of person that would adjust to the convenience ng ka-meeting niya,” Poa explained.
“That is truly the Vice President’s character—she is always very mindful of the convenience of the person she is speaking to,” he added.
Duterte’s impeachment trial is expected to run 92 days.
Pressed further, Poa hinted at the possibility that the vice president might pay a visit to the senate again.
He previously clarified that Duterte’s nonattendance does not necessarily mean that she would no longer appear in the succeeding proceedings, stating that her appearance largely depends on how the trial will go.
