House prosecutors, Sara Duterte's camp file pre-trial brief ahead of impeachment trial
The House prosecution panel and Vice President Sara Duterte's defense team have submitted to the Senate their respective pre-trial briefs ahead of impeachment proceedings.
Lead prosecutor Batangas Rep. Gerville Luistro said in a press conference on June 15 that the House prosecution will present more than 30 witnesses in the impeachment trial.
"It is more than 25. The witnesses are not only 25, it's not only 30, it's even more," she said.
Meanwhile, Duterte's legal counsel, Atty. Michael Poa, shared that the defense's pre-trial brief is around 60 pages long.
Without delving into detail, he said that the VP's camp included "several" witnesses.
"Of course, as much as possible, nilagay na natin lahat ng witnesses we are looking to present and documentary evidence," he told reporters at the Senate.
The pre-trial brief includes the stipulation of facts, a list of witnesses, and documentary evidence to be presented during the trial.
"Ito po ang susundin sa atin pong pag-uumpisa ng paglilitis. And apparently, the rule is 'yung nailagay mo lang sa pre-trial brief or napapaloob sa pre-trial order, 'yan lang ang pwede nating ilatag during the presentation of evidence," Luistro explained.
She added that facts are stipulated to lessen the issues for debate. "If they admit our offer for stipulation, it means it need not be proved. But if they deny our offer for stipulation, it means it has to be proven during the presentation of evidence," she said.
The Senate is set to hold a pre-trial conference for Duterte's impeachment case on June 18, where it will tackle the stipulation of facts, marking of evidence, and identification of witnesses. The impeachment trial is set to begin on July 6.
Duterte impeachment complaints
The House of Representatives impeached Duterte in February 2025 and then in May 2026, making her the first official in Philippine history to be impeached twice.
Duterte faced a total of four impeachment complaints. The first complaint was filed by a coalition of various organizations on Dec. 2, 2024, but was set aside for violating the one-year bar rule.
The second was filed on Dec. 4 of the same year, but was withdrawn to consolidate support for the third complaint.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 House lawmakers voted 257 in favor of her impeachment during its first regular session on May 11. Twenty-five voted against it, while nine abstained.
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.
