Palace Press Officer Usec. Claire Castro said Wednesday that it would be up to the Senate impeachment court to decide whether Vice President Sara Duterte would be allowed to testify in her own impeachment trial.

Castro also recalled Duterte’s previous statement that she wanted a “bloodbath” and was prepared to face the allegations against her and clarify the issues raised in the impeachment proceedings.

“Kung 'yan po ang nais ng Prosecution at kung papayagan po ito ng Senado, nasa kamay na po ito ng Senado,” Castro said during a Palace press briefing.

“Malamang kaya ito hinihiling ng Prosecution ay dahil mismo naman ang Bise Presidente ang nagsabi na gusto niya ng isang bloodbath, at sinabi rin naman niya before na handa siyang humarap patungkol dito at liwanagin ang mga issue na ito,” she added.

Castro declined to speculate on whether Duterte would personally appear before the impeachment court, saying she could not answer a hypothetical question.

“Kung psychologist ako o psychiatrist ako ng Bise Presidente, ‘di ko masasagot,” Castro said when asked whether Duterte would attend the impeachment court based on her behavior.

House lead private prosecutor Lorna Kapunan said Tuesday, September 8, that the prosecution wants to present Duterte as a witness in the impeachment trial.