MANILA, Philippines — The Senate impeachment court is maximizing its current legislative break to examine previously submitted evidence and organize preparations ahead of the resumption of Vice President Sara Duterte’s impeachment trial on November 9, a tribunal official announced Saturday.
According to impeachment court spokesperson Atty. Reginald Tongol, the House prosecution panel faces an October 23 deadline to file its formal offer of evidence, which covers various documents identified and authenticated by witnesses during earlier hearings.
Following this submission, the defense team will have a 10-day window to review the documents and interpose objections regarding their authenticity, marking, and legal admissibility.
“For us lawyers, litigators, this is a very tedious process on our part kasi kailangan naming maging mabusisi dito,” Tongol noted in a radio interview.
While the trial is on recess, the Senate impeachment court’s secretariat and clerk of court have already initiated an inventory of the files. Tongol explained that once the defense files its formal comments, Senator Francis “Chiz” Escudero—acting as the presiding officer—along with Senate Secretary and Clerk of Court Atty. Renato Bantug Jr., will face a tight deadline to evaluate and rule on the submissions.
“Almost five days lamang ang natitirang panahon para yung presiding officer at Senate impeachment clerk of court ay kailangan mag-desisyon sa napakaraming dokumento na yun, kung ano yung mga dokumento na gagawing ebidensya,” Tongol said.
Meanwhile, the tribunal remains on standby for a formal manifestation from defense spokesperson Atty. Michael Poa regarding whether the Vice President’s legal camp will consent to suspend the sub judice rule, which restricts public comments on ongoing court matters.
The issue arose after Escudero initially lifted the rule concerning three withdrawn articles of impeachment—a directive challenged by a motion for reconsideration from Senator Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan, which received support from Senate Deputy Majority Leader Joel Villanueva.
Tongol explained that the defense expressed reservations over whether lifting the restriction would benefit Duterte, particularly given parallel criminal proceedings tied to her alleged grave threats against President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.
If the defense objects to the suspension, Escudero is expected to grant Pangilinan’s motion and reinstate the gag order; conversely, the current relaxation of the rule will stand if the defense agrees.
Regarding the presentation of witnesses, Tongol stated that the defense’s pretrial order currently contains 45 entries, though the total count could potentially expand to around 90 due to multiple individuals listed under single entries or designated reserve witnesses. The defense must submit its final witness list and brief the court on the purpose of each testimony five days before proceedings restart to allow for scheduling and cross-examination preparations.
Although the defense previously listed common witnesses like former Senator Antonio Trillanes IV, Tongol noted that adjustments may still occur following the recent dropping of three articles of impeachment.
“Dahil they pertain to the dropped articles, hindi natin alam ngayon kung papatawag pa sila ng respondent. Dahil hindi natin alam, baka meron silang ibang pang testimonya na kailangan sabihin,” he added.
Tongol emphasized that the overall duration of the trial will ultimately depend on the volume of evidence introduced and the final number of witnesses put forward by the defense, meaning proceedings could potentially extend into next year.
“Ang kalendaryo ay susunod sa pangangailangan ng impeachment court na mailatag lahat ng ebidensya and not the other way around. Hindi susunod yung ebidensya doon sa kalendaryo,” he concluded, noting that a streamlined witness list from the defense could shorten the trial timeline.