QUEZON CITY—The impeachment trial against Vice President Sara Duterte will push forward even if she boycotts the proceedings entirely. 

House impeachment prosecutor Joel Chua of Manila clarified on May 19 that the Senate impeachment court does not require Duterte's physical presence to move the case against her. 

“The impeachment court issued a writ of summons, because the writ of summons, dalawa ang purpose niyanz. One is for the Vice President to appear before the impeachment court and the other one, for her to submit the answer within 10 days,” Representative Chua said.

Under the established rules, the Senate’s writ of summons primarily demands that the Vice President submit her formal answer to the articles of impeachment and enter her plea within a 10-day window.

While the writ of summons serves the dual purpose of calling for her appearance and demanding her legal response, Chua emphasized that Duterte’s absence will not stall the wheels of justice. 

The Vice President retains the strategic option to attend personally, send her legal counsel, or completely decline participation. 

“Right now, the vice president is not under our consideration to be our hostile witness," Congressman Chua noted during a televised interview, highlighting that the choice ultimately rests on the defense's legal strategy.

Should Duterte and her legal team choose to ignore the trial altogether, the Senate is fully prepared to act. 

“Well, that depends on the legal strategy of the defense. That is not for us to decide.” The Representative emphasized.

According to the Congressman of Manila, pursuant to Senate Resolution No. 39 which governs the impeachment trial procedures for the 20th Congress the court will automatically enter a plea of not guilty on her behalf if she fails to appear or respond. 

This safeguard ensures that the high-stakes proceedings will continue seamlessly, with or without the Vice President in the courtroom.