The legal counsel for Vice President Sara Duterte formally submitted her pre-trial brief to the Senate on Monday, June 15, marking a major procedural step in her ongoing impeachment case.
According to the defense team, the crucial document was delivered directly to the Senate chambers shortly before the end of the business day.
“The Defense Team confirms that it personally filed the respondent’s Pre-Trial Brief at around 5:50 p.m. today,” stated spokesperson Atty. Michael Poa.
While a pre-trial brief is a mandatory legal requirement designed to outline the defense’s arguments, identify core issues, and propose facts to expedite the upcoming trial, the lawyers declined to share specific details of their strategy.
“We will refrain from discussing the substance of the filing at this time, out of respect for the ongoing proceedings and in accordance with Rule XVIII of the Senate Rules on Impeachment,” the team noted in their official statement.
The Vice President has deliberately distanced herself from managing the daily tactical decisions of her defense, choosing instead to let her legal advisers take full control.
During a public appearance in General Santos City on June 10, Duterte explained that despite being a lawyer herself, she preferred to act strictly as a client to keep the process efficient. She also requested a lean legal team to ensure clear and fast communication.
This latest move follows the Vice President’s formal “Answer” submitted on June 1, where her camp aggressively challenged the validity of the impeachment. In that initial filing, the defense argued that the charges were legally flawed and should be thrown out completely.
Her lawyers continue to emphasize that the legal battle belongs inside the Senate rather than in the media.
“We trust that the Senate will discharge its constitutional duty with fairness, independence, and fidelity to the rule of law,” the defense team reiterated.
With the pre-trial conference officially scheduled for June 18, both sides are finalizing their preparations for the formal trial, which is set to begin on July 6.