Why Ralph Sarmiento refused to testify at Sara Duterte’s trial

RALPH SARMIENTO. The defense counsel of Vice President Sara Duterte had wanted law dean Ralph Sarmiento as their first witness but he declined. The defense team had wanted the constitutional expert and former law dean to be their first witness in the Vice President's impeachment trial MANILA, Philippines – The defense team of Vice President Sara Duterte will have to find another first witness for her impeachment trial which resumes on Monday, November 9. In a video message on Thursday, November 5, former law school dean Ralph Sarmiento said he had declined the defense team’s request for him to testify, saying he wanted to preserve the independence of his constitutional law scholarship and the impartiality of his legal views. This came a day after the defense identified Sarmiento as its first witness, submitting a manifestation before the Senate impeachment court seeking the issuance of subpoenas ad testificandum (or a summon to appear before the court) and duces tecum (to compel him to bring relevant documents including a copy of his curriculum vitae). “After careful consideration, I have decided to decline participation as a witness in the proceedings,” said Sarmiento. “This is a personal decision to preserve the independence of my constitutional law scholarship and the impartiality of my legal views and opinions,” he added. The defense team had wanted the law professor to testify on legal and constitutional principles relevant to the impeachment case, particularly Article II, which involves Duterte’s alleged unexplained wealth. He said he had already communicated with the defense to withdraw its request for a subpoena compelling his appearance, or seek its recall if it had already been issued. “I remain committed to contributing to public understanding of the Constitution through independent and balanced legal analysis,” Sarmiento added. Michael Poa, spokesperson for Duterte’s defense team, said they respected Sarmiento’s decision. “We respect Dean Sarmiento’s personal decision and appreciate his initial consideration of our invitation. We wish him well in his continued contributions to constitutional discourse,” said Poa. Sarmiento was law school dean of the University of St. La Salle in Bacolod City until September 30, 2025, and has since been the university’s vice chancellor for administration. He earned his Juris Doctor degree in the University of St. La Salle. He was admitted to the Bar in 1997, placing 10th in the Bar exam. A lawyer with expertise in International Law, Sarmiento also served as a bar lecturer and reviewer, and has authored several books including International Law: Compendium and Bar Reviewer and Bar Exam Logic: Mastering Legal Reasoning for the Bar Exams and Law Practice. He had earlier called for fairness after the prosecution dropped three of four articles of impeachment against Duterte, saying the defense “should be given even just a limited opportunity to present rebuttal evidence in the same Impeachment Court, under oath and subject to cross-examination.” The impeachment trial was temporarily paused to give way to the Senate committee hearings on the proposed 2027 national budget. The trial will resume on November 9, when the defense will begin its presentation of evidence. – Rappler.com How does this make you feel? Loading