🔴BREAKING NEWS:Top Pres Officer Escudero SC TRO Luistro Ridon Diokno Kapunan Tulfo VP Sara Trial

Vice President Sara Duterte’s defense team has accepted law professor and dean Ralph Sarmiento’s decision to decline its invitation to testify as a defense witness at her impeachment trial when it resumes Nov. 9.Meanwhile, Senate Impeachment Court spokesperson Atty. Regie Tongol on Thursday defended the court’s exclusive constitutional authority to determine its own voting thresholds following an official filing before the Supreme Court.We respect Dean Sarmiento’s personal decision and appreciate his initial consideration of our invitation,” defense spokesperson Atty. Michael Poa said. “We wish him well in his continued contributions to constitutional discourse.Sarmiento said he had asked the defense to withdraw its request for a subpoena compelling him to appear before the Senate impeachment court. He said he needed to preserve his independence and impartiality as a constitutional law expert.