Vice President Sara Duterte now has a full legal team on record, as 16 lawyers officially filed their appearance before the Senate impeachment court on Monday to represent her in the ongoing proceedings.
According to Senate impeachment court spokesperson Reginald Tongol, the notice of appearance from the Fortun Narvasa & Salazar law firm was received at 5:03 p.m. by the Secretary of the Senate, acting as the impeachment court’s Clerk of Court. The filing, dated June 16, 2025, confirms the firm’s role as lead counsel for Duterte.
While the House of Representatives was also furnished a copy of the document at 3:42 p.m., it bore a note saying “Tender Copy refuse to receive.”
Among the legal heavyweights defending the Vice President are Philip Sigfried Fortun, Gregorio Narvasa, and former DepEd undersecretary and spokesperson Michael Wesley Poa. Her spokesperson Reynold Munsayac, a lawyer himself, is also part of the defense team.
Duterte is facing seven articles of impeachment filed by 215 members of the House last February 5. Charges range from alleged misuse of confidential funds in both the Office of the Vice President and the Department of Education, to accusations of plotting against President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos, and House Speaker Martin Romualdez.
She is also accused of unexplained wealth, involvement in extrajudicial killings linked to the drug war, and attempts to destabilize the government through sedition and insurrection.
Earlier this month, the Senate formed itself into an impeachment court, but the proceedings hit a pause after 18 senator-judges backed a motion by Senator Alan Peter Cayetano. The motion returned the impeachment articles to the House, raising questions about constitutional violations and jurisdictional overreach.
Despite the procedural uncertainties, Duterte’s camp is now visibly preparing for a full legal defense as the political drama continues to unfold.
