VP Duterte not keen on father leading defense team in impeachment trial

MANILA, Philippines  – Will former President Rodrigo Duterte serve as his daughter’s lead defense should the impeachment trial against her begin?

Vice President Sara Duterte said she is inclined to tell her father not to stand as her lead legal counsel in her impeachment case considering the former president’s age.

“He is a lawyer, so he is welcome to give his advice and input in the defense,” the Vice President told reporters in a press conference on Friday after she was asked to disclose if her father would be among her defense team.

Later into the presser, the impeached official was asked if the former president would lead her defense team, to which she answered:

“Maybe he wants to — he can be a part of the defense team but because of his age and because of rigorous preparations in an impeachment case, baka sabihin ko sa kanya na wag na lang siya mag lead dahil medyo may edad na si former President and he’s already 80 this year.”

(I’ll probably tell him not to serve as the lead counsel because of his age. He’s already 90 this year.)

Earlier, Senate President Chiz Escudero said there would be no legal constraint should former president Duterte decide to serve as a legal counsel for his daughter in light of the impeachment that the latter is facing.

“That would be expected. Sinabi na nya yan. Abogado siya, abogado rin si Vice President Sara Duterte — abogado rin ang kanyang asawa, hindi ko na ikagugulat yan kung mangyayari man yan,” said Escudero.

READ: Five things to know about Sara Duterte and her impeachment

(That would be expected. He said that. He’s a lawyer, Vice President Sara Duterte. I wouldn’t be surprised if that ever happens.)

Pressed to disclose if there’s a legal impediment to such a move, the Senate chief said there’s none.

“There’s none. In fact, even the Vice President herself can represent herself in addition to other lawyers,” he added.