16 LAWYERS TO DEFEND VP SARA DUTERTE IN HER IMPEACHMENT TRIAL

SIXTEEN lawyers are set to defend Vice President Sara Duterte in her impeachment trial.

The 16 lawyers formally entered their appearance before the Senate impeachment court. 

According to a news release issued by the Senate Monday night, the Appearance Ad Cautelam was received at 5:03 p.m. by the Office of the Senate Secretary acting as Clerk of Court.

The filing was submitted by the law firm Fortun Narvasa & Salazar, with the lawyers entering their appearance “without prejudice to any jurisdictional and/or other objections” the Vice President may raise.

The lawyers who signed the entry of appearance were Philip Sigfrid A. Fortun, Gregorio Y. Narvasa II, Sheila C. Sison, Carlo Joaquin T. Narvasa, Roberto A. Tungpalan-Bacalc, Justin Nicol B. Gular, Lindon Miguel L. Miguel, David Ronell M. Golla VII, Maria Selene Golda R. Fortun, Claribae F. Radoc, Francesca Marie Y. Flores, Miguel Carlos A. Fernandez, Michael Wesley T. Poa, Reynold S. Munsayac, Mark C. Vinluan, and Ralph B. Bodota.

A copy of the Appearance Ad Cautelam was also tendered to the House of Representatives at 3:42 p.m. on the same day, but was marked with the note: “Tender Copy refuse to receive.”

The House of Representatives on February 5 impeached the Vice President  for alleged culpable violation of the Constitution, betrayal of public trust, graft and corruption, and other high crimes.

The Senate convened as an impeachment court and issued summons to Duterte.

However, the Senate voted to return the Articles of Impeachment to the House, citing procedural concerns.