PASAY CITY — Vice President Sara Duterte’s defense team has raised legal concerns regarding potential evidentiary limitations after prosecutors dropped three impeachment articles before the Senate impeachment court on Tuesday, October 13.
Atty. Sheila Sison, the lead counsel for the Vice President’s defense, argued during the proceedings that the prosecution’s decision should not restrict Duterte from addressing allegations already brought to light.
She requested a copy of the presiding officer’s extended ruling to evaluate its legal impact alongside her client.
“Whatever consequences of those withdrawals, they should be able to bear alone without the respondent suffering any consequences from that decision,” Sison stated, emphasizing that the defense maintains full discretion over its counter-arguments.
“Hindi naman po kami yung nag-withdraw ng articles,” she added, noting the defense bears no responsibility for the prosecution’s strategy.
Beyond evidentiary concerns, Sison strongly criticized the relaxation of Rule 18, which governs sub judice restrictions on public remarks regarding ongoing trials.
She cautioned that allowing unrestricted public commentary could degrade the trial’s fairness and integrity, warning of a potential free-for-all environment.
“The essence of the sub judice rule really is not limited to the practical value of regulating the proceeding. It actually goes into the integrity or maintaining the integrity of the proceedings,” Sison explained.
Comparing the case to the historical impeachment trial of former Chief Justice Renato Corona, Sison pointed out that unlike in Corona’s trial—where articles were dropped before presentation—the prosecution here withdrew them only after introducing supporting evidence.
She reiterated the team’s overarching goal: “What is it that we all want from these proceedings? Fairness, impartiality.”
In response, Senator Francis “Chiz” Escudero, presiding over the court, clarified that Articles I, III, and IV are exempt from further adjudication or voting, though Duterte remains free to submit relevant manifestations.
Meanwhile, Senator Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan asked the defense to clarify whether they opposed the withdrawal itself or its procedural consequences, to which Sison reaffirmed their primary focus is safeguarding the Vice President’s right to present a comprehensive defense.