The legal team of Vice President Sara Duterte will closely observe the House of Representatives’ plenary proceedings on Monday as the chamber prepares to vote on the committee report recommending her impeachment.
Lawyer Michael Poa, spokesperson for the defense team, confirmed on Sunday that they are tracking the developments.
This follows the House Committee on Justice’s unanimous approval of a report last May 4, which found probable cause to move forward with the charges.
“We will monitor the proceedings tomorrow,” Poa said in an interview with GMA News.
The Vice President faces several complaints involving the alleged misuse of confidential funds, graft and corruption, and constitutional violations.
Despite the gravity of the allegations, Duterte has consistently dismissed the proceedings as “politically motivated” and refused to participate in the House committee hearings.
The defense team has previously indicated that they are prepared to address the accusations once the case moves to a different setting.
“[The defense team] would not object if the House secured enough votes to transmit the impeachment complaint to the Senate for trial,” Poa earlier stated, reiterating that the camp is ready to respond “in the proper forum.”
If the House secures at least 106 votes—one-third of its total membership—the articles of impeachment will be formally transmitted to the Senate, which will then convene as an impeachment court.