Vice President Sara Duterte appeared at the Senate on Tuesday, but she skipped the second day of her impeachment trial to meet with her defense team. During a brief press conference, Duterte stated, “In this bloodbath and bludgeoning, I will be bloodied but unbowed,” while declining to answer media questions. Defense spokesman Michael Poa explained that her absence from the proceedings was due to scheduled meetings and convenience. In response, private prosecutor Lorna Kapunan expressed intent to file a formal request to summon the Vice President as a witness regarding grave threats. However, presiding senator-judge Francis Escudero clarified that impeachment rules do not mandate the respondent's attendance. While Malacañang suggested that facing witnesses would allow Duterte to refute allegations, constitutional expert Domingo Cayosa noted that public perception remains a critical factor in the trial's outcome.