MANILA, Philippines — Vice President Sara Duterte will not appear before the House of Representatives' justice commitee on her first impeachment hearing on Wednesday, according to the spokesman of her defense team.
"Yes, she will not attend," Michael Wesley Poa told The Manila Times in a phone interview on Tuesday night.
The commitee invited Duterte to answer the allegations raised against her.
Justice Committee Chairman and Batangas Rep. Gerville Luistro said Duterte’s presence during the hearings was “significant” since it would be an opportunity for her to question the complaints and provide information that would help the committee decide on the case.
Duterte is accused, among others, of allegedly violating the Constitution and betraying public trust over her alleged misuse of confidential funds under the Office of the Vice President and the Department of Education when she was its secretary.
Duterte has repeatedly denied the allegations.
