The Office of the Vice President pushed back against President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s remarks on the impeachment trial, saying the proceedings should be governed by the Constitution, due process, and the rule of law — not personal opinions from public officials.
In a statement dated July 6, 2026, Vice President Sara Duterte stressed that the burden remains on the prosecution to prove its case. The OVP said the Vice President’s decision on whether to personally testify or appear through legal counsel is not a question of transparency, but a matter of legal strategy and constitutional rights.
The statement also emphasized that a respondent in an impeachment trial has the right to be represented by counsel. For Duterte’s camp, choosing to face the proceedings through lawyers does not mean avoiding accountability — it means using remedies and protections allowed under the law.
The OVP framed the issue as a reminder that impeachment must be tested through evidence, procedure, and constitutional standards. Its message was clear: the integrity of the trial should not depend on political pressure or public commentary, but on whether the prosecution can prove its allegations under the rules.
Duterte also said public officials are better served by relying on law, policies, evidence, and objective facts when discussing matters of national concern. In effect, the OVP is drawing a firm line: opinions may shape headlines, but only evidence and due process should shape the outcome of the trial.
Image from Inday Sara Duterte FB