The House prosecution team prosecuting Vice President Sara Duterte’s impeachment trial plans to conclude its evidence presentation on Article I, which focuses on the alleged misuse of confidential funds, as early as next week before moving to subsequent charges.
Manila 3rd District Representative Joel Chua, a lead prosecutor, announced the revised timeline during a press briefing following testimonies from military officers regarding Army certifications submitted to state auditors by the Department of Education (DepEd).
“Masasabi natin, baka by next week ay matapos na Hopefully, ang confidential funds, and we will move on to the next article,” Chua said.
To streamline the proceedings, prosecutors dropped two scheduled military witnesses, citing that their testimony would duplicate evidence already on record.
“To shorten… ayaw naman natin ng protracted hearing. Gusto natin matapos na rin ito,” Chua explained.
Former DepEd Undersecretary Michael Poa and a representative from the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) are set to take the stand next.
Poa will address the administrative issuance of the military certifications, while the PSA witness will testify on the verification of names listed in confidential fund disbursement records.
“Ang natitira na lamang si Mr. Edward Fajarda, and probably isa, or at most, dalawa,” Chua noted regarding the remaining witness list for Article I.
Article I centers on allegations involving ₱612.5 million in confidential funds—comprising ₱500 million allocated to the Office of the Vice President across 2022 and 2023, alongside ₱112.5 million disbursed to DepEd during Duterte’s tenure as education secretary.
The prosecution intends to finish its overall presentation in time for the Senate impeachment court to render a verdict before the end of the year.
“Sana, Hopefully, by November tapos na lahat, so by December we can have the decision of the impeachment court whether or not to convict the Vice President,” Chua added.
Meanwhile, the House panel decided to maintain its full 11-member composition, setting aside a proposal to have select prosecutors resign to serve as public spokespersons amidst sub judice reminders from the Senate court.
“We have decided, wala na lang munang mag-resign,” Chua stated.
“After considering everything, tutal isang buwan na lang kung masusunod iyong ating target,” he added, confirming the panel will instead limit public briefings strictly to procedural updates.