‘Bloodied but unbowed’: VP Sara arrives at Senate on Day 2 of impeachment trial

MANILA, Philippines — Vice President Sara Duterte arrived at the Senate on the second day of her impeachment trial on Tuesday, July 7.

Lawyer Michael Poa, spokesperson of Duterte's defense team, confirmed that Duterte was already within the Senate premises on Tuesday and said she would not attend the impeachment proceedings but only meet her defense team.

Before reporters at the Senate, Duterte delivered a short statement saying, “In this bloodbath and bludgeoning, I will be bloodied but unbowed,” before refusing to take questions and immediately leaving the press conference area.

On the first day of the impeachment trial on July 6, Duterte, who said that she’s ready for a “bloodbath,” did not appear before the impeachment court.

She was represented by her lawyers, led by lawyer Shiela Sison, who argued on her behalf.

Impeachment spokesperson Reginald Tongol said she was not required to appear before the impeachment court because she was represented by counsel.

House impeachment prosecutors also said on Monday that they did not expect Duterte to appear, but they still urged her to face the charges against her.

In the first 11 days of the impeachment trial, the charge involving grave threats, which Duterte allegedly uttered in November 2024, will be the first to be tackled by the prosecution.

Lawyer Benjamin Tolosa, legal spokesperson of the prosecution team, explained that it is the least complicated matter to be tackled, as they do not need to present many witnesses.

The impeachment trial is set to resume at 2 p.m. and is expected to last for 92 days. — with reports from Cristina Chi