House prosecutor: Senate allies may have to inhibit from VP trial

By Ferdinand Patinio, Philippine News Agency

FILE: VP STAND. Vice President Sara Z. Duterte faces the media at her office in Mandaluyong City on Friday (Feb. 7, 2025). She said her lawyers are studying the impeachment complaints endorsed by the House of Representatives to the Senate on Feb. 5 and are preparing for the defense. (PNA photo by Joan Bondoc)

MANILA – As the impeachment case against Vice President Sara Duterte moves to the Senate, one of the 11 legislators tapped as prosecutor said the inhibition of “allied” senators is being considered.

Speaking at the Saturday News Forum in Quezon City, Manila 3rd District Rep.

Joel Chua said they will discuss it once the panel is formally convened.

“We’ll see if that’s possible,” Chua said, referring to suggestions that senators allied with Duterte must inhibit themselves from the impeachment trial. “We will wait for our team to convene first and then, we will discuss all the options.

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He believed that some senators might even voluntarily recuse themselves out of “delicadeza.”

Chua noted that the impeachment trial is largely a numbers game, making the question of inhibitions crucial.

Duterte’s known allies in the Senate include Senators Ronald Dela Rosa, Christopher Go, Robinhood Padilla and presidential sister Imee Marcos.

Chua said the panel would also have to discuss the possibility of the Vice President resigning, although she earlier dismissed the idea of stepping down.

“At the end of the day, we must respect the process. I trust that our senators will uphold their duty to the Filipino people,” he said.

On Feb. 5, the House of Representatives transmitted the Articles of Impeachment, signed by 215 members, to the Senate but the latter adjourned until June 2 without discussing it.

An upbeat Duterte faced the media on Friday but did not talk extensively about the impeachment, except that her lawyers have long been preparing for it.