Manila, June 23 -- Vice President Sara Z. Duterte on Monday asked the Senate impeachment court to dismiss the verified impeachment complaint against her for alleged violation of the one-year bar rule under the 1987 Constitution.

A messenger from the law firm Fortun Narvasa & Salazar arrived at the office of Senate Secretary Renato Bantug Jr., who also serves as clerk of court of the impeachment court, at 5:49 p.m. carrying copies of her 35-page answer "ad cautelam" (with caution).

"Vice President Sara Z. Duterte, by counsel, without waiving any jurisdictional and/or other objections she has to this case and the Fourth Impeachment Complaint, respectfully states: the fourth impeachment complaint must be dismissed because it is void ab ini...