Impeachment panel urges Vice President Duterte to appear at trial

Vice President Sara Duterte labeled the impeachment complaints against her as baseless, but House impeachment prosecutor Terry Ridon publicly invited her to the trial scheduled for Monday. Ridon, a representative of the Bicol Saro Party-list, refuted her claim that no evidence exists, stating that the case proceeds because evidence has been filed. He announced that retired Sandiganbayan Presiding Justice Amparo Cabotaje-Tang, Ombudsman Records Division Officer-in-Charge Karen Batu, and SEC Company Registration Director Gerardo del Rosario will testify about the alleged unexplained wealth of Duterte's family.

Ridon also noted that Duterte previously appeared for a separate grave threats case at the Quezon City Regional Trial Court, implying she can attend the impeachment hearing. The vice president's spokesperson, Salvador Paolo Panelo Jr., has not issued a statement. The prosecution had earlier dismissed 15 potential witnesses, seeking Duterte herself to take the stand.