Politics · Philippines Bureau
Duterte's attendance at arraignment remains uncertain, lawyer says
Vice President Sara Duterte's legal team has not confirmed whether she will appear at her arraignment in the grave threats case, though her lawyer acknowledged that accused individuals are typically required to be present at such proceedings.
LSN Philippines ·
MANILA — The question of whether Vice President Sara Duterte will attend her arraignment for the grave threats case before the Quezon City Regional Trial Court remains unresolved, with her legal representation offering limited clarity on the matter.
Michael Poa, Duterte's lawyer handling her impeachment trial, declined to provide a direct answer when asked about her potential attendance at the arraignment. However, he noted that standard legal procedure requires accused individuals to be present during such proceedings.
"For an arraignment, the accused [is required to be present]," Poa stated, without explicitly confirming Duterte's plans to appear in court.
The grave threats case against the Vice President has drawn significant attention as it moves through the judicial system. The arraignment marks a critical stage in the legal proceedings, where the defendant is formally informed of charges and enters a plea.
Duterte's legal team has not issued a formal statement regarding her court appearance, leaving uncertainty about whether the Vice President will personally attend the scheduled arraignment.