Duterte's defense team keeps oral arguments representative under wraps

MANILA — The defense team for Vice President Sara Duterte maintained secrecy Tuesday regarding the identity of their representative for upcoming oral arguments on the voting threshold required for conviction in the Senate impeachment court.

Senator-Judge Francis "Chiz" Escudero, who is presiding over the impeachment proceedings, directed the question at Duterte's counsel following an inquiry to the prosecution panel about their representative. The prosecution had readily identified their designated speaker, but Duterte's legal team declined to provide a similar disclosure.

The refusal to name the representative comes as the impeachment court continues to address procedural matters ahead of substantive arguments. The conviction threshold has emerged as a contested issue, with legal implications for how the case will proceed against the Vice President.

The impeachment court has been handling multiple preliminary questions since the case was formally instituted in the Senate. Duterte faces multiple articles of impeachment filed by opposition lawmakers in the House of Representatives.

No explanation was offered by the defense for withholding the name of their designated oral arguments spokesperson, and it remains unclear when the threshold-related oral arguments will be scheduled.