Duterte VP rejects calls for senator-judges to recuse in impeachment trial

Vice President Sara Duterte dismissed suggestions that some senator-judges should recuse themselves from her impeachment trial based on political bias during a press briefing in Davao City on Monday.

Senate Minority Leader Aquilino 'Koko' Pimentel III opposed calls for certain senator-judges to recuse themselves, arguing it could benefit Duterte if they do so by allowing those who would vote not guilty to abstain from stating their decision.

Opposition Senator Risa Hontiveros responded on Tuesday to Duterte's suggestion that she inhibit herself from the upcoming Senate impeachment trial, reiterating her duty as a senator-judge to evaluate evidence impartially and urging Duterte to file an answer to the summons issued by the Senate impeachment court last week.

Hontiveros maintained in a statement that despite any political affiliation or bias, it is her responsibility to weigh all presented evidence during the trial.

Representative Ysabel Zamora of San Juan City suggested that recusal should be voluntary and based on evidence of partiality rather than political stance.

Atty. Christian Monsod believes Senators Ronald 'Bato' dela Rosa and Francis Tolentino should inhibit themselves from sitting as senator-judges after seeking to dismiss the impeachment complaint against Duterte.

The ACT Teachers Partylist also called on Senators Imee Marcos and Robin Padilla to recuse themselves, citing their support for Duterte following her visit to Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.