‘Lopez may face contempt if she ignores subpoena’
Zuleika Lopez, chief of staff to the Philippine Vice President, faces potential contempt charges if she fails to comply with a Senate impeachment court subpoena. Legal experts clarify that witnesses must appear unless they have a valid legal exemption.
Why it matters
This highlights the legal tension and procedural requirements within a high-profile impeachment process in the Philippines.
MANILA, Philippines - Office of the Vice President chief of staff Zuleika Lopez could be cited in contempt if she fails to comply with the subpoena issued by the Senate impeachment court.
Impeachment court spokesman Regie Tongol said witnesses summoned by the court are generally required to appear unless they successfully challenge the subpoena on legal grounds.
"When a court issues a subpoena, compliance is compulsory. A witness cannot simply refuse to appear except under specific exceptions recognized by the Rules of Court," Tongol said over radio dzBB on Thursday.
"If the witness fails to comply without a valid legal basis, he or she may be cited in contempt of court," he added.
Witnesses may question a subpoena only on limited grounds, such as when their testimony is irrelevant, the subpoena is defective or it was issued merely to harass them.
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