House impeachment prosecutor Joel Chua announced in Manila on Tuesday, May 19, 2026, that the impeachment trial against Vice President Sara Duterte will continue even if she fails to appear before the Senate impeachment court.
Writ of Summons Served
"The impeachment court issued a writ of summons. The writ of summons has two purposes: one is for the Vice President to appear before the impeachment court, and the other is for her to submit her answer within 10 days," Chua said.
He noted that Duterte may choose to appear personally, authorize her lawyers to represent her, or completely refrain from participating as part of her legal strategy.
"Well, that depends on the legal strategy of the defense. That is not for us to decide. Right now, the vice president is not under our consideration to be our hostile witness," he added.
Trial Proceeds Regardless
Chua clarified that even if Duterte or her lawyers do not appear, the process will continue and the court will automatically enter a "not guilty" plea on behalf of the vice president.
He said this is clearly outlined under Senate Resolution No. 39, which adopts the rules of procedure governing impeachment trials for the 20th Congress.
After the filing of pleadings, the impeachment court will move to pretrial proceedings, where evidence, witnesses, and issues for trial will be formally identified before the actual hearing of the case begins.
Public Expects Response
Although Duterte is not required to testify personally, Chua expressed that the public expects to hear the vice president's response to the allegations against her.
A two-thirds vote, or at least 16 of the 24 senator-judges, is needed to convict the Vice President on the impeachment charges. Failure to secure the required votes would result in Duterte's acquittal.
Articles of Impeachment
The articles of impeachment stem from allegations against VP Sara for misuse of PHP 612.5 million in confidential funds, failure to properly disclose her true assets in her Statements of Assets, Liabilities, and Net Worth (SALN), committing bribery during her time as Education secretary, and issuing serious threats against President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos, and former Speaker Martin Romualdez.
