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Sigfrid Fortun leads defense panel in VP Sara's impeachment trial
Vice President Sara Duterte has appointed a 16-lawyer legal team, primarily from the Fortun Narvasa & Salazar law firm, to represent her in an upcoming impeachment trial.
The defense panel, which includes veteran lawyer Sigfrid Fortun, formally entered their appearance before the Senate impeachment court on Monday, June 16, 2025.
Fortun has a history of defending high-profile figures, having served on the defense team for former President Joseph Estrada during his impeachment trial and representing individuals in the Maguindanao massacre case.
The team also includes former Office of the Vice President spokesperson Michael Poa and Gregorio Narvasa II, son of the late former Chief Justice Andres Narvasa, who was also part of Estrada's defense team.
A document detailing the lawyers' appearance was submitted to the Senate Secretary, though a note indicates a tender copy was not received by the House of Representatives.
The impeachment trial is anticipated to take place in July under the 20th Congress.
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San Juan Rep. Ysabel Maria Zamora questioned the legal basis for Vice President Sara Duterte's response to a Senate summons, particularly concerning the impeachment articles sent back to the House of Representatives.
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Eighteen senators voted to return articles of impeachment against Vice President Sara Z. Duterte to the House of Representatives due to alleged constitutional infirmities.
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The Senate convened as an impeachment court on Tuesday, June 10, 2025, to hear the impeachment case against Vice President Sara Duterte.
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House prosecutors maintain that Vice President Sara Duterte's impeachment case cannot be dismissed, citing the Constitution which allows only conviction or acquittal once a trial begins.
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Former Supreme Court associate justice Adolfo Azcuna warned that the House of Representatives' delay in accepting the remanded articles of impeachment against Vice President Sara Duterte could cause the impeachment trial to fail.
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