Amid ongoing discussions about Vice President Sara Duterte's appearance in the impeachment trial, the Senate impeachment court doesn’t require her to appear in person.

Senate impeachment court Atty. Regie Tongol stated that the presence of her defense team is enough to represent her in the trial.

“Cannot be compelled to attend, one, because meron po siyang right against self-incrimination under the Constitution. Hindi rin po siya kinakailangang pumunta naman kasi wala namang pangangailangan sa pagpunta niya dahil nirerepresenta na po siya ng kanyang mga abogado at yung depensa niya ay narerepresenta na rin nung answer niya po na finile,” he said

[“Cannot be compelled to attend, one, because she has a right against self-incrimination under the Constitution. She doesn’t really need to attend because there is no necessity for her attendance, as she is represented by her lawyers, and her defense also represents the answer she filed.”]

Atty. Tongol also mentioned that it’s at the discretion of the Vice President if she wants to attend physically in the Senate impeachment court.

“It's up to her po. Wala pong magagawa ang sinuman para pilitin siyang pumunta,” Atty. Tongol said

[“It’s up to her. Nobody can force her to attend.”]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0jyQd720gWU

Defense team spokesperson Atty. Michael Poa had mentioned earlier that they will only determine if the Vice President will personally appear at the trial if the situation calls for it.

“As I've always mentioned, ang kanyang physical presence, we will assess kung kinakailangan. Bakit hindi? But that will depend on how the proceedings go, and we will advise her accordingly,” he said

https://www.youtube.com/watch?si=J0ykgmMLWE9tBV2I&v=C4if4NizieQ&feature=youtu.be

Watch the full livestream of the impeachment trial (Day 2):

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=otnxfcsGE-Y

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