Sara Duterte trial: Prosecution wants to alternate with defense on evidence presentation

PROSECUTORS. Members of the House prosecution panel, led by Batangas Representative Gerville Luistro, hold a press conference on June 22, 2026. Angie de Silva/Rappler Under the trial's current format, the prosecution should finish the presentation of all four impeachment articles before the defense team can show its own evidence and witnesses MANILA, Philippines – The prosecution panel in the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte is proposing to the court to alternate with the defense team on the presentation of evidence. “Such an approach enables the impeachment court and the parties to focus on one article of impeachment at a time, thereby promoting a more organized and coherent presentation of evidence and facilitating a clearer appreciation of the factual and legal issues unique to each charge,” read the prosecution’s manifestation, electronically filed on Monday, July 27. Under the trial’s current format, the prosecution should finish the presentation of all four impeachment articles before the defense team can show its own evidence and witnesses. The prosecution has already finished presenting its impeachment article on Duterte’s threats against President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and is scheduled to kick off its case on the Vice President’s alleged misuse of confidential funds on Wednesday, July 29. But if the court grants the prosecution’s manifestation, the defense could present its own set of witnesses and evidence on grave threats before the court moves on to the case on confidential funds. The prosecution said its proposed sequence “allows [Duterte] an immediate opportunity to address the evidence presented on a particular article before the proceedings move to the next, while enabling the impeachment court to receive and evaluate all evidence relating to each charge in a more comprehensive and self-contained manner.” “In the prosecution’s respectful view, this format may contribute to a more orderly, efficient, and focused trial without prejudice to the impeachment court’s continuing authority to modify its procedures whenever the interests of justice or the efficient conduct of the proceedings so require,” it added. During the trial of the late former chief justice Renato Corona in 2012, the court instructed the prosecution to finish its presentation of all impeachment articles first before the defense team presented its case. The prosecution in Duterte’s trial, however, argued that no fixed rule governs the sequence of the presentation of evidence during an impeachment trial. The prosecution clarified that despite its preference, it will abide by whatever decision the court makes. – Rappler.com How does this make you feel? Loading