Sara Duterte Impeachment Timeline: Defense May Wrap Up Next Week as Prosecutors Push for a Verdict Before Christmas
Reginald Tongol, spokesperson for the Philippine Senate impeachment court, said the defense in Vice President Sara Duterte's trial could finish presenting its witnesses next week, but that the remaining procedures could still extend the trial into December or even January 2027, leaving a verdict before Christmas possible.
Tongol told a press briefing that the defense intended to present around eight more witnesses, potentially including forensic analysts not named in its pre-trial submissions. Once the defense rests, it will have 10 calendar days to formally offer its documentary evidence, followed by another 10 days for the prosecution to submit comments or objections; the court must then resolve the admissibility of the exhibits before possible rebuttal proceedings and closing arguments. The court is scheduled to sit again on November 19 and 20, then pause for deliberations on the proposed 2027 national budget, resuming on December 1.
House lead prosecutor Gerville Luistro, a Batangas representative, on November 13 publicly urged the impeachment court to deliver a verdict before Christmas regardless of whether it convicts or acquits, saying the investigations and proceedings have run for three years and the country needs closure. Duterte spokesperson Paolo Panelo said the defense camp likewise anticipated a verdict before the Christmas break.
Only Article II of the impeachment, alleging unexplained wealth and improper asset declarations, remains. Trial Day 43 concluded on November 12 and the court cancelled its November 13 session, as GSM has reported.
(Source: Senate of the Philippines)
Source: Senate of the Philippines
Published by GSM · USA (original Chinese edition)
Photo: 图：菲律宾参议院议事厅资料图，弹劾审判在此举行。照片：菲律宾通讯社 Avito Dalan 摄，公共领域，经 Wikimedia Commons。 / Photo: File photo of the Philippine Senate session hall, where the impeachment trial is held. Photo by Avito Dalan, Philippine News Agency, public domain, via Wikimedia Commons.
