The defense team of Vice President Sara Duterte on Wednesday, July 22, dismissed speculation that the vice president may resign amid her ongoing impeachment trial, saying the matter has never been discussed.
Speaking during a post-trial media briefing after the ninth day of the Senate impeachment proceedings, defense spokesperson Atty. Michael Poa said resignation has never been raised in conversations with Duterte.
“Never pa namin napag-usapan ng Vice President yung resignation, so I don’t think we even have to discuss that issue,” Poa said.
Poa made the statement after being asked to respond to remarks by House prosecution spokesperson Rep. Terry Ridon, who said during a briefing on Tuesday that the prosecution would continue pursuing the impeachment case regardless of whether Duterte resigns.
“Bakit siya magre-resign, papunta pa tayo sa exciting part, guys. Papasok na yung AMLC records, tsaka yung BIR records, tsaka yung bank records. Tingin ko magandang pangalawang pangulo pa rin ho siya pagka-hinarap na po ’yan sa paglilitis,” Ridon said.
Asked to react to Ridon’s comments, Poa declined to engage with the prosecution spokesperson’s opinion.
“Hindi ko na sasagutin yung comment ni Representative Ridon because, again, he’s entitled to his own opinion and I respect him—whether it be for us or against us,” Poa said.
He reiterated that the defense has never discussed the possibility of Duterte stepping down from office.
The Senate impeachment trial against Vice President Duterte is set to resume next week, July 29, after the prosecution concluded the presentation of evidence and witnesses for Article IV of the impeachment complaint, which concerns allegations of grave threats.
The proceedings will continue with the presentation of evidence for the remaining Articles of Impeachment.
