Prosecution sees VP trial wrap by end-November

MANILA, Philippines — The impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte could wrap up by end-November, the House’s lead prosecutor said on Sunday, which could mark the end of a months-long proceeding that has exposed alleged misconduct by the early presidential favorite.

In a statement, Batangas Rep. Gerville Luistro, the chief prosecutor in the impeachment case, said this was “possible” if Vice President Sara Duterte’s defense team limits its presentation to 10 trial days from 30 days under the Senate impeachment court’s June pretrial order.

Luistro’s projected timeline hinged on expectations that Duterte’s defense team will cut the trial days it will seek to rebut the allegations hurled by prosecutors.

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“They will be requesting 10 trial days, and it all will be a full day,” the Batangas lawmaker said in Filipino. “If this extends beyond 10 trial days, it may spill over into December.”

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Still, the trial will take far less time than what was initially expected after prosecutors streamlined the case to focus solely on the charge that Duterte amassed unexplained wealth and failed to truthfully disclose her assets, Luistro said.

“What is clear is that the defense requested 30 trial days, according to our pretrial order,” she pointed out. “However, those … pertained to four articles of impeachment. At this point, only one remains.”

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“But at any rate, we are all hoping and praying that, hopefully before Christmas, this impeachment trial will be concluded so we can have closure and we can all move on,” Luistro added.

‘16 votes’

In a separate statement, Deputy Speaker Janette Garin said prosecutors could likely secure 16 votes to convict Duterte if she does not appear in her Senate trial and explain the wealth she allegedly accrued while in office.

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“If the Vice President chooses not to attend and fails to address or answer the questions raised by the [Anti-Money Laundering Council], the banks, the [Bureau of Internal Revenue], the [Securities and Exchange Commission], and our forensic analyst, reaching the 16 votes becomes highly probable,” she said in Filipino.

Forensic financial analyst Alexander Cabrera, a prosecution witness, testified in September that Duterte may have hidden at least P817 million in assets since 2022.

“That is precisely why it is crucial for our Vice President to attend,” Garin said in Filipino. “When you are the respondent in an impeachment trial, it is vital that your voice is heard and your explanation is presented.”

Duterte was initially charged with alleged betrayal of public trust, amassing unexplained wealth, violating the Constitution, committing graft and bribery, and issuing grave threats against President Marcos.

Last month, prosecutors withdrew three of the charges and only retained the unexplained wealth charge.