PASAY CITY—Manila 6th District Representative Bienvenido “Benny” Abante Jr. called on Vice President Sara Duterte on August 17, 2026 to personally face the impeachment trial against her. 

Speaking in a press conference after day 16 of the proceedings, Abante urged the Vice President to take accountability instead of letting her office personnel answer the allegations for her.

The lawmaker criticized Duterte for skipping the hearings and accused her of disrespecting the legislative branch. 

He emphasized that conducting the trial is part of the Senate and House of Representatives' official duty under the Constitution. 

“I think the Vice President should come because she continues to make a mockery of Congress. Mandato namin ‘to eh, mandato ng Senado ito. Ibig sabihin, the Office of the Vice President can make a mockery of the Constitutional mandate of Congress to investigate and to put an impeachment court,” Congressman Abante said.

Abante stressed that Duterte should speak for herself rather than leaving her subordinates to handle the pressure of the inquiry. 

He pointed out that her assistants are the ones suffering while trying to defend her absence. 

“Dapat humarap siya. Siya ang mag-explain, ‘wag niyang sasabihin ‘yan sa mga staff niya. Siya mismo. Nakakaawa po ‘yung staff niyang nag-e-explain eh. Siya na mismo mag-explain,” he stated.

Closing his statement, Abante directly appealed to the Vice President to show compassion toward her team by showing up to defend herself. 

“Tinatawagan ko ngayon si Vice President, maawa ka naman sa mga staff mo,” he added.

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