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Diokno, Adiong: Prosecution Opens VP Duterte Trial With Grave Threats Case
Screengrab from Congress PH/Senate PH
The House prosecution panel will begin presenting its case against Vice President Sara Duterte with the article on alleged grave threats, saying it is the easiest charge for both the Senate impeachment court and the public to understand.
The prosecution announced on Monday that it would first tackle Article IV, which centers on the alleged threats made by Duterte against President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos, and former Speaker of the House Martin Romualdez.
House prosecutor Rep. Chel Diokno confirmed the order of presentation after Senate impeachment court presiding officer Sen. Francis Escudero ruled that the prosecution may determine the sequence of the Articles of Impeachment.
“The first article we will be presenting will be article four on grave threats,” Diokno said.
He said the prosecution will next present Article I on confidential funds, followed by Article III on bribery, and Article II on unexplained wealth.
Escudero later summarized the sequence for the record.
“So the sequence of presentations shall be article four, article one, article three, and then article two,” Escudero said.
Diokno replied, “Yes, that is correct, Your Honor.”
House legal spokesperson Atty. Benjamin Tolosa Jr. said the prosecution deliberately chose to begin with the grave threats article because its factual issues are more straightforward than the financial allegations contained in the other impeachment articles.
“Ito ang Article of Impeachment na pinakamadaling masundan, hindi lang ng impeachment court, kundi ng mga kababayan natin,” Tolosa said.
He said proving the allegation would not require numerous witnesses because the statements at the center of the complaint were made publicly.
“Hindi na kailangan mag-presenta pa ng napakaraming testigo para mapatunayan na ito ay nangyari,” Tolosa said.
Tolosa added that the video containing Duterte's alleged statements already forms a key piece of evidence.
“Malinaw din doon na bukod sa pinagbantaan, sinabi na may kasunduan na sa isang assassin para gawin ito,” Tolosa said.
He said the prosecution believes starting with Article IV will make it easier for the public to follow the trial before moving to the more complex allegations involving confidential funds and unexplained wealth.
“Dahil ang mga factual issues dito are less complicated compared to other financially related Articles of Impeachment, mas madali ito, so minabuti namin na dito tayo magsimula,” Tolosa said.
Kabataan Party-list Rep. Renee Louise Co said many Filipinos had already seen the press conference where the alleged threats were made, making the issue familiar to the public.
“The press conference about the threats, napanood ‘yan ng buong lahat ng mga mamamayan,” Co said.
She said the prosecution intends to explain the case step by step so that the public can better understand the impeachment process.
“We will go through as they go para makamit natin sa puno’t dulo ‘yung proseso ng pananagutan,” Co said.
House trial spokesperson Zia Alonto Adiong also said the alleged threats are easier for ordinary Filipinos to relate to because they involve basic standards of conduct expected from public officials.
“I think sa Pilipino, mas madali kang mag-relate na hindi basta-basta magbanta,” Adiong said.
“Ang Pilipino ay disenteng tao.”
He added that the standard should be even higher for someone holding one of the country's highest elected offices.
“So how much more for someone who enjoys certain following, who enjoys a certain authority and mandate,” he said.
According to Adiong, the case ultimately asks whether Duterte remains fit to continue serving as Vice President based on conduct that allegedly undermines the rule of law.
“Pinag-uusapan natin issues fitting to continue on as Vice President based on behavior and propensity to say things that undermines the rule of law, the principle that no one should take justice into their own hands,” Adiong said.
As the prosecution prepared to present Article IV, the Senate impeachment court also granted its request to subpoena two officials from the National Bureau of Investigation who are expected to testify on the allegations.
Escudero ordered the issuance of subpoenas to NBI Regional Director Atty. Jeremy Lotoc and Senior Agent John Mark Calilung after the prosecution said their testimonies are material to establishing the allegations under Article IV and authenticating documentary evidence.
“The chair hereby orders that the subpoena and testificandum and duces tecum be issued to the aforementioned two NBI agents,” Escudero said.
The two officials have been directed to appear before the impeachment court as the prosecution formally begins presenting evidence on the grave threats article, marking the first substantive phase of the impeachment trial against Duterte.
The prosecution announced on Monday that it would first tackle Article IV, which centers on the alleged threats made by Duterte against President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos, and former Speaker of the House Martin Romualdez.
House prosecutor Rep. Chel Diokno confirmed the order of presentation after Senate impeachment court presiding officer Sen. Francis Escudero ruled that the prosecution may determine the sequence of the Articles of Impeachment.
“The first article we will be presenting will be article four on grave threats,” Diokno said.
He said the prosecution will next present Article I on confidential funds, followed by Article III on bribery, and Article II on unexplained wealth.
Escudero later summarized the sequence for the record.
“So the sequence of presentations shall be article four, article one, article three, and then article two,” Escudero said.
Diokno replied, “Yes, that is correct, Your Honor.”
House legal spokesperson Atty. Benjamin Tolosa Jr. said the prosecution deliberately chose to begin with the grave threats article because its factual issues are more straightforward than the financial allegations contained in the other impeachment articles.
“Ito ang Article of Impeachment na pinakamadaling masundan, hindi lang ng impeachment court, kundi ng mga kababayan natin,” Tolosa said.
He said proving the allegation would not require numerous witnesses because the statements at the center of the complaint were made publicly.
“Hindi na kailangan mag-presenta pa ng napakaraming testigo para mapatunayan na ito ay nangyari,” Tolosa said.
Tolosa added that the video containing Duterte's alleged statements already forms a key piece of evidence.
“Malinaw din doon na bukod sa pinagbantaan, sinabi na may kasunduan na sa isang assassin para gawin ito,” Tolosa said.
He said the prosecution believes starting with Article IV will make it easier for the public to follow the trial before moving to the more complex allegations involving confidential funds and unexplained wealth.
“Dahil ang mga factual issues dito are less complicated compared to other financially related Articles of Impeachment, mas madali ito, so minabuti namin na dito tayo magsimula,” Tolosa said.
Kabataan Party-list Rep. Renee Louise Co said many Filipinos had already seen the press conference where the alleged threats were made, making the issue familiar to the public.
“The press conference about the threats, napanood ‘yan ng buong lahat ng mga mamamayan,” Co said.
She said the prosecution intends to explain the case step by step so that the public can better understand the impeachment process.
“We will go through as they go para makamit natin sa puno’t dulo ‘yung proseso ng pananagutan,” Co said.
House trial spokesperson Zia Alonto Adiong also said the alleged threats are easier for ordinary Filipinos to relate to because they involve basic standards of conduct expected from public officials.
“I think sa Pilipino, mas madali kang mag-relate na hindi basta-basta magbanta,” Adiong said.
“Ang Pilipino ay disenteng tao.”
He added that the standard should be even higher for someone holding one of the country's highest elected offices.
“So how much more for someone who enjoys certain following, who enjoys a certain authority and mandate,” he said.
According to Adiong, the case ultimately asks whether Duterte remains fit to continue serving as Vice President based on conduct that allegedly undermines the rule of law.
“Pinag-uusapan natin issues fitting to continue on as Vice President based on behavior and propensity to say things that undermines the rule of law, the principle that no one should take justice into their own hands,” Adiong said.
As the prosecution prepared to present Article IV, the Senate impeachment court also granted its request to subpoena two officials from the National Bureau of Investigation who are expected to testify on the allegations.
Escudero ordered the issuance of subpoenas to NBI Regional Director Atty. Jeremy Lotoc and Senior Agent John Mark Calilung after the prosecution said their testimonies are material to establishing the allegations under Article IV and authenticating documentary evidence.
“The chair hereby orders that the subpoena and testificandum and duces tecum be issued to the aforementioned two NBI agents,” Escudero said.
The two officials have been directed to appear before the impeachment court as the prosecution formally begins presenting evidence on the grave threats article, marking the first substantive phase of the impeachment trial against Duterte.
Jul 6, 2026
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