MANILA – The Senate will not force Vice President Sara Duterte to be present during her impeachment trial, Senate President Francis “Chiz” Escudero said on Monday.

Duterte last week said the senators, standing as an impeachment court, might get “intimidated” by her presence.

“She is free to say what she wants to say, I doubt if that would happen. She is free to say what she wants,” Escudero told reporters.

“If she needs to attend, we will make her attend, if she doesn’t need to attend we won’t force her because that is her right – to waive her right to appear unless it is necessary or needed,” he said.

Asked how she would be treated, the Senate President said it would depend on what capacity she would attend.

“She would attend as what? As a witness? Eh di uupo siya sa witness stand. Puwede siyang i-cross examine. Hindi siya puwedeng tumestigong ‘ito lang sasabihin ko, hindi na ‘ko magsasalita pagkatapos nito.’ Hindi puwede yun ah,” he said.

“Any direct testimony must be subject to cross examination before it is considered admissible. Puwede siya magsalita kung gusto niya pero kung hindi siya magpapa-cross examine, may karapatang i-strike yung testimonyang yun,” he said.

Escudero said she would be treated depending on the capacity she is attending – might it be as a lawyer for herself, as a witness, or as a spectator.

“Why will we not accord respect to her or her office? Of course we will.”