VP Duterte defense says subpoena ruling not a major setback, weighs possible SC challenge

Manila Bulletin

The defense team of Vice President Sara Duterte said the Senate impeachment court's decision granting the prosecution's request to subpoena her financial records was not a major setback as it weighs possible legal remedies, including elevating the matter to the Supreme Court.  In a press briefing after the decision was rendered, defense counsel Michael Poa said the ruling was one the defense had anticipated despite its strong opposition to the prosecution's motion.  READ MORE: https://mb.com.ph/2026/07/20/vp-duterte-defense-says-subpoena-ruling-not-a-major-setback-weighs-possible-sc-challenge

Transcript

00:00Nonetheless, you know, we, syempre, nasa hukong naman talaga kung anong desisyon, we submit to the decision of the Impeachment

00:08Court, of course, without prejudice to legal remedies available under the law.

00:14Malaking setback ba ito sa inyo or anong tingin nyo?

00:17Sa amin, syempre, hindi namin may pagkakailan na talagang we had strong grounds to oppose. At least, yun yung pananaw

00:26namin.

00:27But as to setback, we're ready naman, whatever happens. The possibility of this happening is something we also anticipated.

00:35So, hindi naman natin masasabi na malaking-malaking setback to.

00:40Syempre, hindi naman tayo magbobolahan. Syempre, mas gusto namin kung talagang napagbigyan din yung opposition namin.

00:49But, you know, that's normal naman in any court proceeding and we respect the Impeachment Court as well as the

00:56ruling made by the presiding officer.

00:58So, tayo, we just submit to the ruling of the court.

01:01But again, without prejudice, syempre, sa mga remedies that are available.

01:06At speaking of remedies, what are the possible legal remedies that you may take?

01:10Saan nyo po ito kukunin? At ano po yung possible next actions?

01:13Well, to be perfectly clear, we're not even sure if a motion for reconsideration is something that we're allowed to

01:22do.

01:23That's parang wala yun sa rules eh nung huli namin tinignan.

01:27Of course, there's always the possibility of going up because as I mentioned earlier, everything is subject to judicial review

01:33depending on the circumstances available.

01:36But we have not made that decision yet. So, gusto ko lang i-clarify yun na this is something that

01:43we have to discuss as a team.

01:48Also, of course, in consultation with our client, the respondent, vice president.

01:53So, ano lang naman, yan yung mga, parating namin may kolatilya kasi para sa mga abogado na without prejudice to

02:01ganito-ganyan.

02:02But it doesn't mean that we will be doing it. It doesn't mean that we will not be doing it.

02:06But this is something we'll have to discuss amongst ourselves.

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