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Advocates Philippines
House Prosecution Sets Bold Order In VP Sara Duterte Impeachment Case
Photo credit: Congress PH
The House prosecution panel has formally proposed a step-by-step sequence for presenting evidence in the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte, placing the allegation of an assassination plot at the very start of the proceedings.
In a submission to the Senate impeachment court on June 22, prosecutors outlined their preferred order of presentation, beginning with accusations involving alleged assassination plotting, grave threats, and inciting to sedition. The proposal also organizes the remaining articles to follow what the panel describes as a clearer and more accessible narrative for both the senator-judges and the public.
House trial spokesperson and Lanao del Sur Rep. Zia Alonto Adiong explained in a press briefing Monday that the sequence is strategic but not final, stressing that the impeachment court still has full authority to revise it.
“The sequence, according to the presentation of evidence, Article 4, assassination plot, grave threats, and inciting sedition against the government. Article 1, misuse of, misappropriation of confidential funds. Article 3, bribery and corruption within the Department of Education, and last is Article 2, unexplained wealth, false SALN, and continued business interest,” Adiong said.
He added that the ordering was designed not only for legal structure but also for public comprehension, noting that the trial will be closely followed outside the Senate chamber.
“Hindi lang po ang Senado ang nag-e-evaluate at nag-a-assess ng ebidensya, pati na rin ang publiko,” he said.
According to him, starting with the alleged threats would allow the public to immediately engage with the case, especially since related video material has already circulated widely online and in news coverage.
“It’s easier for the public to understand right away yung nakita nilang video na tini-threaten ng Bise Presidente, ang nakaupong Presidente, ang unang ginang, at ng dating Speaker of the House of Representatives,” Alonto Adiong said.
Atty. Benjamin S. Tolosa Jr., legal spokesperson for the private prosecution team, said the first article is expected to be the least complex in terms of factual presentation.
“For the grave threats, that’s the least contentious article, at least with respect to the facts,” Tolosa said.
He also noted that other parts of the case may require additional procedural steps, including requests for subpoenas, especially if the prosecution is forced to present hostile witnesses.
“For the others, there’s need for request for issuance of subpoena from the impeachment court,” Tolosa said.
The prosecution further explained that the article on alleged unexplained wealth was placed near the end of their proposed sequence due to the volume and complexity of documentary evidence involved.
Alonto Adiong said this approach is meant to prevent the proceedings from becoming overwhelming early on, while allowing the court to build toward more document-heavy allegations later in the trial.
Still, prosecutors emphasized that their proposed structure is only a guide and not binding on the Senate impeachment court, which will ultimately decide how the trial unfolds.
“But of course, this is still subject to modifications as may be allowed and may be found to be appropriate by the impeachment court,” Tolosa said.
The impeachment case against Sara Duterte involves multiple allegations, including misuse of confidential funds, corruption-related claims, and questions over financial disclosures—making it one of the most closely watched political proceedings in the country.
In a submission to the Senate impeachment court on June 22, prosecutors outlined their preferred order of presentation, beginning with accusations involving alleged assassination plotting, grave threats, and inciting to sedition. The proposal also organizes the remaining articles to follow what the panel describes as a clearer and more accessible narrative for both the senator-judges and the public.
House trial spokesperson and Lanao del Sur Rep. Zia Alonto Adiong explained in a press briefing Monday that the sequence is strategic but not final, stressing that the impeachment court still has full authority to revise it.
“The sequence, according to the presentation of evidence, Article 4, assassination plot, grave threats, and inciting sedition against the government. Article 1, misuse of, misappropriation of confidential funds. Article 3, bribery and corruption within the Department of Education, and last is Article 2, unexplained wealth, false SALN, and continued business interest,” Adiong said.
He added that the ordering was designed not only for legal structure but also for public comprehension, noting that the trial will be closely followed outside the Senate chamber.
“Hindi lang po ang Senado ang nag-e-evaluate at nag-a-assess ng ebidensya, pati na rin ang publiko,” he said.
According to him, starting with the alleged threats would allow the public to immediately engage with the case, especially since related video material has already circulated widely online and in news coverage.
“It’s easier for the public to understand right away yung nakita nilang video na tini-threaten ng Bise Presidente, ang nakaupong Presidente, ang unang ginang, at ng dating Speaker of the House of Representatives,” Alonto Adiong said.
Atty. Benjamin S. Tolosa Jr., legal spokesperson for the private prosecution team, said the first article is expected to be the least complex in terms of factual presentation.
“For the grave threats, that’s the least contentious article, at least with respect to the facts,” Tolosa said.
He also noted that other parts of the case may require additional procedural steps, including requests for subpoenas, especially if the prosecution is forced to present hostile witnesses.
“For the others, there’s need for request for issuance of subpoena from the impeachment court,” Tolosa said.
The prosecution further explained that the article on alleged unexplained wealth was placed near the end of their proposed sequence due to the volume and complexity of documentary evidence involved.
Alonto Adiong said this approach is meant to prevent the proceedings from becoming overwhelming early on, while allowing the court to build toward more document-heavy allegations later in the trial.
Still, prosecutors emphasized that their proposed structure is only a guide and not binding on the Senate impeachment court, which will ultimately decide how the trial unfolds.
“But of course, this is still subject to modifications as may be allowed and may be found to be appropriate by the impeachment court,” Tolosa said.
The impeachment case against Sara Duterte involves multiple allegations, including misuse of confidential funds, corruption-related claims, and questions over financial disclosures—making it one of the most closely watched political proceedings in the country.
Jun 23, 2026
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