In an advisory, Senate Secretary Jose Luis Montales said Vice President Sara Duterte may submit her response from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. personally or through her legal counsel should they not opt for submitting by email.
Vice President Sara Duterte has until 7 p.m. today, June 1, to file her formal answer to the Articles of Impeachment.
In
an advisory, Senate Secretary Jose Luis Montales said Duterte may
submit her response from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. personally or through her
legal counsel should they not opt for submitting by email.
In the
event Duterte opts to file the document in person, the Senate has locked
down administrative access throughout the building to prevent media
scuffles.
“Access to the Office of the Senate Secretary on the
sixth floor, where the answer will be received and processed, shall be
restricted to authorized officials of the Impeachment Court and members
of the Vice President’s legal team,” the Senate advisory stated.
“Given
the limited space within the Senate premises and the anticipated number
of media representatives, these measures are necessary to ensure
safety, facilitate movement, and provide equitable access and
accommodation for all concerned,” the advisory added.
In
anticipation of the filing, Senate President Alan Peter Cayetano
dismissed, in a Facebook Live on May 30, allegations that the majority
bloc’s proposed amendment to the Senate rules on remote participation is
tied to the upcoming impeachment trial.
Duterte’s defense team
assured the public on Sunday, May 31, that they would meet today’s
deadline to file its answer to the Articles of Impeachment.
House
prosecution team spokesperson Rep. Renee Co said the best gift they can
give to Duterte – whose birthday was on Sunday – is her opportunity to
refute all the Articles of Impeachment filed against her before the
Senate impeachment court. — With Evelyn Macairan, Delon Porcalla