Former City Attorney and Mayor Oscar Moreno explained that Vice President Sara Duterte’s absence from her impeachment trial is not surprising, as it may be a defense strategy to avoid negative optics.
Moreno noted that impeachment proceedings differ from criminal cases, as the respondent’s presence is not mandatory and responses are limited.
He suggested that the defense camp is avoiding public images that could harm Duterte’s standing.
He assured, however, that the real course of the case will be revealed once evidence is presented and examined.
