The transmission of the Articles of Impeachment against Vice President Sara Duterte to the Senate could be expedited if the Vice President fails to appear in the upcoming hearings of the House Committee on Justice, Chairperson and Batangas 2nd District Representative Gerville Luistro said.

According to the lawmaker, the absence of the Vice President during the formal impeachment proceedings set to begin on March 25 would mean no counter-evidence would be presented to contest the allegations. This, she explained, could lead to the immediate transmission of the complaint to the Senate acting as an impeachment court.

Luistro emphasized that Duterte’s participation is crucial, as the hearings would function like a “mini trial,” where both sides are expected to present documents, evidence, and possibly witnesses.

She warned that failing to attend could be interpreted as not disputing the allegations, effectively speeding up the process before it reaches the plenary and eventually the Senate.

The lawmaker also clarified that even Duterte’s 16-member defense team would have no role if she does not personally attend the hearings, citing House rules that prohibit lawyers from representing a respondent in their absence.

She urged the Vice President to take the opportunity to address the allegations and present her defense during the proceedings.