Lead prosecutor says Duterte trial on July 6 confirmed

MANILA, Philippines — What was certain following the first day of the pre-trial conference on Thursday was that all parties agreed to start the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte on July 6, lead House prosecutor Batangas Rep. Gerville Luistro said.

Luistro, in an online interview with reporters covering the House of Representatives, said that after the pre-trial conference, the Senate Impeachment Court confirmed that the trial proper will commence on July 6, 2026.

READ: Impeachment Watch: The Last stop before Sara Duterte’s trial

“What’s important here is we are aligned to starting the trial proper this coming July 6. It’s definite already,” Luistro said. “It was confirmed.”

She noted that the schedule had already been discussed under both the previous and current Senate leadership.

“Even SP (Senate President) Win Gatchalian made pronouncements that they will be following the timeline of the previous leadership,” she added.

According to Luistro, the pre-trial conference will resume on June 22, after the prosecutors were unable to finish the marking of evidence due to the voluminous documents submitted.

She said the parties have already completed the submission of stipulations and witness lists.

“Once we finish the marking of exhibits and submit the necessary manifestations and comments, all issues, documents, and witness lists, then all issues will be considered submitted, We will then wait for the pre-trial order and file any comments if necessary,” Luistro explained.

Despite heated exchanges during the pre-trial conference, Luistro said the impeachment court should be commended for working toward what she described as a”simple, expeditious and fair trial.”

READ: Heated discussions in Day 1 of pre-trial, but Poa says it’s normal 

The Senate Impeachment Court, in its notice last June 9, said that the pre-trial conference will be held so that the prosecution and the defense can resolve the following matters before trial proper:

• Stipulation of facts and simplification of issues
• Marking of documentary or real evidence and waiver of objections or admissions on evidence
• Number and identification of witnesses
• Setting of trial dates
• The proposed sequence for the presentation of evidence and possible modification of the order of trial
• Such other matters as will promote a fair and expeditious trial of the case

READ: Senate invites parties, sets June 18 impeachment pre-trial conference

Duterte was impeached for a second time last May 11, after 257 House lawmakers voted in favor of adopting House Resolution (HR) No. 989 which contains the Articles of Impeachment.  Only 25 members voted against it, while nine abstained.

According to HR No. 989, the allegations in the two complaints tackled by the House committee on justice were consolidated into four grounds:

• culpable violation of the Constitution, graft and corruption, and betrayal of public trust through the systematic liquidation misuse, misappropriation, and irregular of confidential funds amounting to P500 million under the Office of the Vice President (OVP) and P112.5 million under the Department of Education (DepEd)
• culpable violation of the Constitution and betrayal of public trust when Duterte amassed unexplained wealth manifestly disproportionate to her lawful income and earnings during her incumbency as a public official
• bribery, graft and corruption, culpable violation of the Constitution, and betrayal of public trust when she gave monetary gifts or payments to DepEd officials to induce the violation and circumvention of procurement and other related laws
• culpable violation of the Constitution, high crimes, and betrayal of public trust by contracting for the assassination of the President, the First Lady, and the former speaker of the House, by making grave threats, and by actively inciting sedition against the republic