THE impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte could be over before the end of November if the defense team limits its presentation of evidence to 10 trial days, House lead prosecutor and Batangas 2nd District Rep. Gerville Luistro said Sunday.
Luistro said the prosecution expects a shorter defense presentation following the withdrawal of three of the four impeachment articles.
The defense originally requested 30 trial days to present evidence on all four articles.
Luistro said the prosecution expects the defense to seek only 10 full trial days for the remaining charge.
The Senate impeachment court has scheduled hearings on Nov. 9 to 13, 19, 20 and 23, with some sessions extending into the evening.
Completing the defense presentation within November, however, would depend on additional hearing dates or adjustments to the calendar.
Luistro warned that the proceedings could extend into December if the defense requires more than 10 trial days to present its witnesses and documentary evidence.
“Nevertheless, we are all hoping and praying that this impeachment trial will be over before Christmas so we can have closure and move on,” she said in Filipino.
The withdrawal of the articles involving confidential funds, bribery and grave threats was approved on Oct. 13, leaving Article II, which accuses Duterte of amassed unexplained wealth, financial declarations, and maintaining income and business interests while serving as vice president.
The impeachment proceedings stem from allegations against Duterte that have been the subject of congressional investigations since 2024.
The senator-judges will decide the case after the presentation of evidence by both sides.
Meanwhile, Luistro reiterated that officials of the Department of Education (DepEd) and the Office of the Vice President (OVP) implicated in the alleged misuse of confidential funds and bribery could still face criminal or civil proceedings despite the withdrawal of three articles.
Separate investigations by the Office of the Ombudsman cover allegations involving personnel of both agencies, while the prosecution remains prepared to provide evidence gathered during congressional hearings and the impeachment proceedings.
“As a matter of fact, as early as 2024, the issue of confidential funds and bribery — involving officials from the Department of Education and the Office of the Vice President — has already been under investigation by the Ombudsman,” Luistro said.
The House Committee on Good Government and Public Accountability had investigated P612.5 million in confidential funds allocated to the Office of the Vice President and the Department of Education during Duterte’s tenure, including questions involving liquidation records, acknowledgment receipts and the disbursement of public funds.
The committee transmitted its findings to the Ombudsman in 2024, while investigators have continued examining whether the financial transactions and supporting documents warrant further proceedings against Duterte or other responsible officials.
Ombudsman Jesus Crispin “Boying” Remulla has said his office was gathering and evaluating evidence, including documents presented during the Senate impeachment trial, to determine whether there were sufficient grounds to file cases over the alleged misuse of confidential funds.
The grave threats allegations are also subject to separate proceedings before the Quezon City Regional Trial Court, following the filing of criminal charges over Duterte’s November 2024 statements concerning President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., first lady Liza Marcos, and former speaker Martin Romuladez.
