Sara Duterte's defense team includes 16 lawyers

Sixteen lawyers will represent Vice President Sara Duterte in her upcoming impeachment trial, with the Fortun Narvasa & Salazar law firm submitting a notice of appearance for her defense team on Monday.

The Senate impeachment court received the document at 5:03 p.m., while a copy was tendered to the House of Representatives but refused.

The legal team includes Philip Sigfrid Fortun, Gregorio Narvasa II, Sheila Sison, and others who will act as her defense during the trial expected in July under the 6th impeachment case of the 20th Congress.

Despite being furnished a copy, the House of Representatives refused to receive it, according to a handwritten note on the document.

Earlier this month, the Senate faced criticism for returning Duterte's impeachment case to the House just before the end of the 19th Congress.