Vice President Sara Duterte is considering attending Tuesday's impeachment trial proceedings to show support for her chief of staff, Zuleika Lopez, who is expected to take the stand as the House prosecution panel's third witness.

Defense spokesperson Michael Poa confirmed the possibility, noting that the vice president had not yet finalized her plans for Day 5 of the trial.

“She isn't sure yet if she can make it today because of scheduled meetings; she'll still see if she can catch up or not," Poa said.

Poa added that Duterte intends to be at the Senate mainly to stand behind her staff as the trial continues.

Lopez is set to appear before the Senate impeachment court as the prosecution's third witness on the case.

The defense previously secured court approval to play excerpts from Duterte's November 2024 online briefing, the same broadcast at the center of allegations that she made grave threats against President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.

Those clips reportedly captured a visibly distressed Lopez, who said her life had been threatened during the Nov. 23, 2024 livestreamed press conference. 

At the time, Lopez was already in a difficult position — a House panel probing Duterte's alleged misuse of confidential funds had cited her for contempt and ordered her detention. She was later hospitalized after falling ill, before being transferred to the Correctional Institution for Women in Mandaluyong City.

Tuesday's session continues to focus on the fourth article of impeachment, which accuses Duterte of plotting an assassination attempt against President Marcos and his family, making grave threats, and inciting sedition, charges she and her legal team continue to deny.

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