Vice President Sara Duterte is not required to personally attend her impeachment trial on July 6, Senate Secretary Renato Bantug Jr. said Monday, citing the rules governing impeachment proceedings.

Bantug said the Senate has yet to receive any indication from Duterte on whether she will attend the first day of the trial scheduled for July 6.

“Nagbigay kami ng notice last week, Thursday, pero hanggang ngayon ay wala pa rin kaming natatanggap na indikasyon kung si VP ay dadalo o hindi,” Bantug said in an interview on DZRH’s “Dos Por Dos.”

He clarified that under impeachment rules, the respondent is not obligated to appear in person during the proceedings.

“Sa impeachment, hindi naman required na dumalo personally ang bise presidente,” Bantug said.

Despite this, Bantug assured that the Senate is prepared should Duterte decide to appear at the opening of the trial.

“Nakahanda naman tayo kung sakaling biglang dadalo, meron naman tayong nakahandang preparasyon,” he said.

Meanwhile, heightened security measures have been put in place around the Senate complex as the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte opens Monday, with police enforcing stricter access and limiting protest activities.

The National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) said protesters will be barred from assembling along the northbound lane of Diokno Boulevard in front of the Senate in Pasay City.

NCRPO spokesperson Major Hazel Asilo said authorities will install barricades in the area to enforce the restrictions.