VICE PRESIDENT Sara Duterte and her family have embarked on a “personal trip” to Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, her office announced Tuesday, just as the Philippine Senate prepares to convene as an impeachment court to hear charges against her.
In an advisory released to the media, the Office of the Vice President (OVP) stated that Duterte is scheduled to attend an Independence Day celebration on June 12.
During the event, she is expected to engage with overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) for a consultation related to her office’s programs.
The OVP did not specify her return date to the Philippines.
Duterte’s departure comes as the Senate is poised to begin impeachment proceedings against her on Wednesday.
Impeachment trial in 20th Congress
On Monday, Senate President Francis “Chiz” Escudero took his oath as the presiding officer of the impeachment trial.
His colleagues, who will serve as judges, are slated to be sworn in today, Tuesday, June 10, 2025.
The vice president has consistently denied any wrongdoing in the charges against her.
Her defense team, in a statement released Monday, declared they are “ready to confront” the accusations in the impending Senate trial.
Furthermore, Duterte’s legal counsel asserted that both the Articles of Impeachment and the process itself suffer from “serious Constitutional infirmities.”
While choosing to refrain from commenting directly on internal Senate matters, the Vice President’s legal team reiterated their firm position that the initiation of what they termed the “Fourth Impeachment Complaint” is “constitutionally flawed.”
“The impeachment process must never be weaponized to harass, silence, or eliminate political opponents. It is a constitutional mechanism, not a political tool,” the statement from her legal counsel emphasized.
Despite their strong reservations regarding the process’s constitutionality, the defense team affirmed their readiness. “Nevertheless, should the Senate choose to proceed, we stand ready to confront the charges and expose the baselessness of the accusations against the Vice President,” the statement concluded.
