Up to Senate to decide if Sara Duterte will testify at her impeachment trial – Palace

September 9, 2026

By ABOGADO.COM.PH Staff

It is up to the Senate impeachment court to decide if the House prosecution panel requests a subpoena for Vice President Sara Duterte to testify at her impeachment trial, Malacañang said on Wednesday.

Presidential Communications Office Undersecretary and Palace press officer Claire Castro made the remarks after the House prosecution panel said it intends to summon Duterte to the witness stand.

“Kung ‘yan ang nais ng prosecution at kung papayagan po ito ng Senado, nasa kamay na po ito ng Senado,” Castro said.

She added: “Hindi natin alam kung ito ang right timing for them. But muli, nasa Senado na ang pagpapasya tungkol diyan.”

The Palace executive recalled that the Vice President herself said she wants a “bloodbath” in her impeachment trial.

“Malamang kaya ito hinihiling ng prosecution ay dahil mismo naman ang Bise Presidente ang nagsabi na gusto niya ng isang bloodbath. At sinabi niya rin naman before handa siyang humarap patungkol dito at liwanagin ang mga isyu na ito,” Castro said.

She declined to answer if she thinks Duterte will attend her own impeachment trial, saying this is a hypothetical question.