WATCH: Constitution bars prosec from compelling Sara to testify – Sison

MANILA, Philippines – Defense lead counsel Sheila Sison says during Tuesday’s trial that the prosecution’s possible move to call Vice President Sara Duterte to the witness stand presents an “innate problem,” pointing to the Constitution’s prohibition against compelling an accused to testify against herself.

Sison stressed that the right against testimonial compulsion is absolute and fundamental, arguing that the vice president is already represented in the impeachment trial through her lawyers.

READ: Highlights: Day 22 of Sara Duterte impeachment trial | Sept. 7, 2026

Prosecution lawyer Lorna Kapunan earlier clarified that the prosecution is not seeking a subpoena for Duterte yet, but is reserving the right to call her as a witness after all the impeachment articles have been presented./dp