Jonathan Frederic De Santos

Article (news)

Bicol Saro Rep. Terry Ridon

Vivienne Gulla

ABS-CBN News

<p>MANILA — Vice President Duterte&#x27;s decision not to attend the first day of her impeachment trial is an “abdication of accountability”, according to House prosecutor Terry Ridon of Bicol Saro Party-List.</p><p>Duterte was represented by her counsels, who said she is not required to be present.</p><p>“The blood bath starts today… I thought she was going to bring the blood bath to everyone else?” Ridon said, referring to comments Duterte made in 2025.</p><p>“That’s an abdication of accountability. It’s not the House prosecution anymore that’s asking her to attend. It’s the Senate impeachment court... If she doesn’t appear, it speaks of the level of respect she would want to convey to the Senate impeachment court,” he added.</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/7/6/in-opening-speech-luistro-says-prosecution-to-show-evidence-not-rumors-in-duterte-trial-1613">In opening speech, Luistro says prosecution to show evidence, not rumors, in Duterte trial</a></div><p>Members of the prosecution team acknowledged that attendance is the vice president&#x27;s prerogative to attend but some said they hope she will explain her side herself.</p><p>“That is her prerogative. Kung ‘di siya umattend (If she does not attend)… trial will simply proceed,” Batangas 2nd District Rep. Gerville Luistro, lead House prosecutor, said.</p><p>“Maganda sana kung pupunta siya, nang sa ganoon ay magbibigay respeto sa ating impeachament court. Kung siya ang darating, at least mapapaliwanag niya sana itong mga issue na bumabalot sa kanya,” Manila 3rd District Rep. Joel Chua said, acknowledging however that that is up to the defense&#x27;s legal strategy.</p><p>(It would be good if she comes to show respect to the impeachment court. If she comes, at least she can explain these issues surrounding her.)</p><p>Duterte lawyer Michael Poa said the defense team will assess if the vice president&#x27;s physical presence at the trial will be necessary.</p><p>“She is ready. That’s why we’re here today. We’ve been preparing for more than a year. I don’t think there’s anything to reconcile there. I don’t think there’s any conflict with that,” he also said when asked about Duterte&#x27;s &quot;blood bath&quot; comments.</p><p>He added Duterte&#x27;s attendance “will depend on how the proceedings go, and we will advise her accordingly,” he added.</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/7/6/duterte-says-impeachment-trial-attendance-a-matter-of-legal-strategy-1314">Duterte skips start of Senate impeachment trial<br/></a></div><p>Duterte has long denied allegations of wrongdoing, saying the issues raised against her are meant to keep her out of the 2028 presidential elections.</p><p>But the prosecution said impeachment, a constitutional proceeding, is about accountability.</p><p>“Hindi ito ang layunin ng prosekusyon. Hindi ito ang layunin ng prosesong ito, kundi accountability. Did she betray the public trust? That is the key question,” impeachment prosecutor Rep. Leila de Lima of Mamamayang Liberal said.</p><p>(That is not the aim of the prosecution. That is not what this process is about, but about accountability. Did she betray the public trust? That is the key question.)</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/7/6/live-updates-vice-president-sara-duterte-s-impeachment-trial-1405">LIVE UPDATES: Vice President Sara Duterte&#x27;s Impeachment Trial (Day 1)</a></div><div><br/></div><div><span class="fr-video fr-deletable fr-fvc fr-dvb fr-draggable" contenteditable="false" draggable="true"><iframe width="640" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/XoYjjc_RPBw?&amp;wmode=opaque&amp;rel=0" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable"></iframe></span><br/></div>

<p>Vice President Duterte's decision not to attend the first day of her impeachment trial is an “abdication of accountability”, according to House prosecutor Terry Ridon of Bicol Saro Party-List.</p>

Vice President Duterte's decision not to attend the first day of her impeachment trial is an “abdication of accountability”, according to House prosecutor Terry Ridon of Bicol Saro Party-List.

House prosecutor flags VP Duterte's absence from impeachment trial

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House prosecutor flags VP Duterte's absence from impeachment trial

Vivienne Gulla,

ABS-CBN News

Published July 06, 2026 04:34 PM PHT

Read More:

Terry Ridon

Gerville Luistro

Joel Chua

Sara Duterte

Impeachment

Duterte Impeachment

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