Documents on Sara Duterte's impeachment trial now available online
The Senate has made official case documents in Vice President Sara Duterte's impeachment trial accessible online.
In a post on his official Facebook account, Senate President Sherwin Gatchalian announced that they have opened the case records through the Senate website, allowing the public to access manifestations, evidence, video recordings, list of witnesses, and other official records of the proceedings.
"Inaanyayahan natin ang publiko na makilahok sa proseso ng impeachment trial. Pwede nang basahin, suriin, at unawain ang mga dokumento at ebidensyang makikita sa Senate website," he said.
Some of the documents that have been made available include video clips of Duterte's Nov. 23, 2024 Zoom press conference, wherein she made a threat against President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos, and former House Speaker Martin Romualdez.
It also included clips of her threatening to exhume the remains of the late dictator Ferdinand Marcos Sr. and throw them into the West Philippine Sea, as well as her resignation as the secretary of the Department of Education.
The impeachment trial will resume for its fourth day on Monday, July 13, at 2 p.m.
The prosecution will present its remaining witnesses over the next three hearing days, July 13 to 15: NBI official Atty. Jeremy Lotoc on Monday, OVP chief of staff Zuleika Lopez on Tuesday, and Belinda Bello, Legislative Security Bureau executive director of the House of Representatives Office of the Sergeant-at-Arms, on Wednesday.
Duterte impeachment trial
Duterte is facing a total of four impeachment complaints. The first complaint was filed by a coalition of various organizations on Feb. 2, but was set aside for violating the one-year bar rule. The second was filed on Feb. 9, but was withdrawn to consolidate support for the third complaint.
The third complaint, backed by ML Party-list Rep. Leila de Lima, charged Duterte with culpable violation of the Constitution, betrayal of public trust, plunder or malversation, bribery, graft and corruption, and other high crimes.
The fourth complaint, endorsed by House Deputy Speaker Paolo Ortega and Manila 6th District Rep. Bienvenido Abante, similarly alleged constitutional violations, betrayal of public trust, graft and corruption, and other impeachable offenses.
The Senate impeachment court has approved a 92-day trial as of writing. Sixty-two trial dates have been set for House of Representatives prosecutors and 30 for Duterte's defense team, according to a 14-page Pre-Trial Order obtained by The Philippine STAR.
According to House prosecutor Chel Diokno, the articles of impeachment will be presented in the following order: fourth article, first article, third article, and second article.
If the Senate impeachment court finds her guilty of the charges, Duterte will be removed from her current post and permanently barred from holding public office.