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Advocates Philippines
House Prosecutors Ready For Sara Duterte Impeachment Trial
Photo credit: Atty. Gerville Luistro
The House prosecution panel says it is moving full speed ahead with preparations for the impeachment case against Vice President Sara Duterte, despite ongoing tensions and leadership disputes within the Senate.
After submitting its manifestation to the Senate impeachment court on Monday, the 11-member prosecution team said it is now focused on the next phase of the process — the pre-trial proceedings that could pave the way for the full impeachment trial.
Speaking at a press conference, lead prosecutor and Batangas Rep. Gerville Luistro stressed that the panel remains united and ready to proceed.
“Sa kabila po ng mga komosyon, iregularidad na nagaganap doon sa Senado ng Republika ng Pilipinas, ang labing-isang prosecutors po ay hindi natitinag at handa humarap sa papalapit na impeachment trial,” Luistro said.
The prosecution team is working based on the timeline previously released by the Senate, which schedules the first pre-trial conference on June 18 and the opening of the trial on July 6.
“We anticipate na June 18, ang 11 prosecutors po ay a-appear sa impeachment court for the first day of pre-trial conference, at July 6 para sa unang schedule ng trial,” she said.
Luistro revealed that preparations are already well underway. The prosecution's pre-trial brief, which includes the list of witnesses, evidence, testimonies, and agreed facts, has already been completed and is set for submission before the June 15 deadline.
While no formal notice has yet been issued by the Senate impeachment court, uncertainty remains due to the continuing leadership conflict between the camps of Acting Senate President Shewrin Gatchalian and former Senate President Alan Peter Cayetano.
Still, Luistro said the prosecution panel will continue preparing according to the original schedule.
“Nonetheless, our preparation is aligned to the timeline that was publicized by the Senate,” she said.
House trial spokesperson and Kabataan Party-list Rep. Renee Co emphasized that the upcoming proceedings are important because they will finally allow both sides to present their arguments and evidence before the impeachment court.
According to Co, the public deserves answers regarding the allegations facing the vice president.
“Simple lang naman ang panawagan natin: to move forward, we need closure,” Co said. “At para magkaclosure, kailangan ng sagot.”
“Hindi po normal at hindi po dapat gawing normal na walang sagot. So hinihintay natin ang paglilitis para makita na natin with finality ano po yung mga depensa at syempre paano po tayo magmomove forward sa proseso ng pananagutan,” she added.
Earlier in the day, House Secretary General Cheloy Garafil formally submitted the prosecution panel's five-page manifestation to the Senate. The document was received by Senate Secretary General Renato Bantug Jr. at 11:15 a.m.
The prosecution chose not to file a detailed reply to Duterte's answer to the Articles of Impeachment, arguing that the vice president's submission contained only general denials and did not directly address the allegations against her.
Akbayan Party-list Rep. Chel Diokno, one of the prosecutors, said there was little reason to respond point-by-point because Duterte's answer largely focused on procedural and constitutional arguments aimed at dismissing the case.
“Kung titignan kasi natin ‘yung naging sagot ni vice president ay mukhang ang gusto niya ay ipadismiss agad ang kaso. Hindi pupwede ‘yun dahil syempre kailangan mauna ang paglilitis o ‘yung trial ng kaso bago magkaroon ng paghahatol o pagpapasya ng ating Senado bilang impeachment court,” he stressed.
Diokno maintained that the impeachment court should allow the trial to proceed so evidence can be properly examined.
“Ang kailangan ngayon, litisin na agad ang kasong ito,” Diokno said. “Kami naman sa hanay ng prosecution ay handang-handa na mag-presenta ng ebidensya.”
The House of Representatives impeached Duterte in February 2025, with lawmakers citing allegations that include the misuse of confidential funds, betrayal of public trust, and other constitutional violations. The case was later transmitted to the Senate, which serves as the impeachment court.
With the prosecution panel now signaling its readiness, attention shifts to the Senate, where lawmakers are expected to determine whether the proceedings will move forward under the original timetable in the coming weeks.
After submitting its manifestation to the Senate impeachment court on Monday, the 11-member prosecution team said it is now focused on the next phase of the process — the pre-trial proceedings that could pave the way for the full impeachment trial.
Speaking at a press conference, lead prosecutor and Batangas Rep. Gerville Luistro stressed that the panel remains united and ready to proceed.
“Sa kabila po ng mga komosyon, iregularidad na nagaganap doon sa Senado ng Republika ng Pilipinas, ang labing-isang prosecutors po ay hindi natitinag at handa humarap sa papalapit na impeachment trial,” Luistro said.
The prosecution team is working based on the timeline previously released by the Senate, which schedules the first pre-trial conference on June 18 and the opening of the trial on July 6.
“We anticipate na June 18, ang 11 prosecutors po ay a-appear sa impeachment court for the first day of pre-trial conference, at July 6 para sa unang schedule ng trial,” she said.
Luistro revealed that preparations are already well underway. The prosecution's pre-trial brief, which includes the list of witnesses, evidence, testimonies, and agreed facts, has already been completed and is set for submission before the June 15 deadline.
While no formal notice has yet been issued by the Senate impeachment court, uncertainty remains due to the continuing leadership conflict between the camps of Acting Senate President Shewrin Gatchalian and former Senate President Alan Peter Cayetano.
Still, Luistro said the prosecution panel will continue preparing according to the original schedule.
“Nonetheless, our preparation is aligned to the timeline that was publicized by the Senate,” she said.
House trial spokesperson and Kabataan Party-list Rep. Renee Co emphasized that the upcoming proceedings are important because they will finally allow both sides to present their arguments and evidence before the impeachment court.
According to Co, the public deserves answers regarding the allegations facing the vice president.
“Simple lang naman ang panawagan natin: to move forward, we need closure,” Co said. “At para magkaclosure, kailangan ng sagot.”
“Hindi po normal at hindi po dapat gawing normal na walang sagot. So hinihintay natin ang paglilitis para makita na natin with finality ano po yung mga depensa at syempre paano po tayo magmomove forward sa proseso ng pananagutan,” she added.
Earlier in the day, House Secretary General Cheloy Garafil formally submitted the prosecution panel's five-page manifestation to the Senate. The document was received by Senate Secretary General Renato Bantug Jr. at 11:15 a.m.
The prosecution chose not to file a detailed reply to Duterte's answer to the Articles of Impeachment, arguing that the vice president's submission contained only general denials and did not directly address the allegations against her.
Akbayan Party-list Rep. Chel Diokno, one of the prosecutors, said there was little reason to respond point-by-point because Duterte's answer largely focused on procedural and constitutional arguments aimed at dismissing the case.
“Kung titignan kasi natin ‘yung naging sagot ni vice president ay mukhang ang gusto niya ay ipadismiss agad ang kaso. Hindi pupwede ‘yun dahil syempre kailangan mauna ang paglilitis o ‘yung trial ng kaso bago magkaroon ng paghahatol o pagpapasya ng ating Senado bilang impeachment court,” he stressed.
Diokno maintained that the impeachment court should allow the trial to proceed so evidence can be properly examined.
“Ang kailangan ngayon, litisin na agad ang kasong ito,” Diokno said. “Kami naman sa hanay ng prosecution ay handang-handa na mag-presenta ng ebidensya.”
The House of Representatives impeached Duterte in February 2025, with lawmakers citing allegations that include the misuse of confidential funds, betrayal of public trust, and other constitutional violations. The case was later transmitted to the Senate, which serves as the impeachment court.
With the prosecution panel now signaling its readiness, attention shifts to the Senate, where lawmakers are expected to determine whether the proceedings will move forward under the original timetable in the coming weeks.
Jun 8, 2026
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