VICE President Sara Duterte has stated that she has not yet received any formal document summoning her to appear as a witness before the Senate sitting as an impeachment court.
Speaking to reporters in Quezon City on Friday morning, Duterte confirmed that no official summons or subpoena had been served on her, despite the House prosecution panel’s public announcement that it intends to call her to the witness stand to answer allegations against her.
“There is no paper or document yet stating that I need to appear as a witness for the prosecution,” Duterte said, declining to disclose whether she would voluntarily testify should a subpoena eventually be issued. Her remarks come days after House prosecutors revealed plans to present her as a hostile witness, arguing that she alone can explain the alleged misuse of confidential funds and other charges contained in the Articles of Impeachment.
The Vice President faces impeachment proceedings covering four main allegations: the alleged misuse of confidential funds, bribery of public officials, accumulation of unexplained wealth, and making grave threats against President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr., First Lady Liza Araneta‑Marcos, and then‑House Speaker Martin Romualdez. The grave threats charge is also the subject of a separate criminal case currently proceeding before Quezon City Regional Trial Court Branch 98, where Duterte has already posted bail.
Until the Senate Impeachment Court or the prosecution formally serves the required subpoena, Duterte is under no compulsion to appear. Whether she will voluntarily submit to examination or invoke her rights to challenge the summons remains uncertain, as the prosecution proceeds with preparations to compel her testimony once all procedural requirements have been met.
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