Prosecution forgoes plan to ask VP Sara Duterte to testify in own trial

HOSTILE. Private prosecutor Jay Tolosa questions hostile witness, Atty. Michael Poa, during Day 21 of the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte on September 2, 2026.

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'We don't see the need to get her testimony anymore, when the records, most of them which came from her, speak loudly,' prosecutor Jay Tolosa says

AT A GLANCE

• The prosecution team in the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte has decided not to call her as a witness, citing sufficient evidence from bank records and financial statements.
• Prosecutors believe the evidence presented is strong enough without her testimony, while the defense argues that it is their strategy to call her if needed.
• The prosecution is seeking Duterte's removal from office for various offenses, including betrayal of public trust and misuse of funds, but has dropped the bribery case to expedite the trial.

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MANILA, Philippines – The prosecution team in the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte has dropped its earlier plan to call her to the witness stand.

The prosecution is expected to wrap up its case against the Vice President after the conclusion of the examination of its last witness, financial forensic analyst Alexander Cabrera, on Monday, October 12.

Prosecution legal spokesman Jay Tolosa said the bank records and Statements of Assets, Liabilities, and Net Worth of Duterte already suffice.

“Every time we make decisions about witness we will present, it’s always based on analysis of evidence we’ve presented so far. We’re already satisfied with the evidence that we presented, and the case that we built,” Tolosa said in a press conference.

“We don’t see the need to get her testimony anymore, when the records, most of them which came from her, speak loudly,” he added. “If the Vice President will just claim she had no knowledge, we don’t see the need to burden the court’s calendar and senator-judges with that kind of testimony.”

Prosecutor Joel Chua said it would be more appropriate for the defense team to call its own client to the witness stand.

“That could be their legal strategy, so the Vice President can explain the documents we presented,” Chua added.

Last month, the prosecution said it would ask the court to subpoena the Vice President after the presentation of all remaining impeachment articles.

“All of these pawns, and castles, and horses, and bishops point to only one person, and that accountable person is the Vice President,” private prosecutor Lorna Kapunan had argued, referring to the Duterte’s role at the time in the confidential funds mess involving the government agencies she has handled.

The defense team opposed the move, citing Article 3, Section 17 of the Constitution which states that “no person shall be compelled to be a witness against himself.”

“It is clear that respondent is here through her counsel. If respondent is not interested in this trial, she would not have even sent her lawyers to defend her,” lead defense lawyer Sheila Sison had said.

The prosecution seeks Duterte’s removal from office for betrayal of public trust, culpable violation of the Constitution and other impeachable offenses related to her alleged misuse of funds, apparent grave threats against President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., alleged unexplained wealth, and supposed bribery of government officials.

The prosecution has already dropped the bribery case in a bid to expedite the proceedings. – Rappler.com