Presiding Officer Francis “Chiz” Escudero. Photo courtesy of the Senate of the Philippines.
House prosecutors are backing longer hearing days in Vice President Sara Duterte’s impeachment trial as the Senate tries to fit more testimony into October before deliberations on the proposed 2027 national budget take priority.
The proposal could turn some trial dates into sessions lasting from morning until evening. Presiding Officer Francis Escudero said the impeachment court was considering starting at 10 a.m., potentially allowing two or three witnesses to take the stand in a day instead of spreading their testimony across several hearings.
Deputy Speaker Francisco Paolo Ortega said the House welcomed the arrangement despite the longer working hours it would require. For prosecutors, concentrating more testimony into each hearing could reduce the number of trial days needed to complete the presentation of evidence.
The court was looking at hearings on Oct. 1 and 2, Oct. 5 to 9, and Oct. 12 to 15 before the Senate shifts its attention to committee deliberations on the national spending plan. Possible trial dates on Nov. 9 and 16 were also being considered, with a more regular schedule potentially returning on Nov. 23. The calendar remains subject to agreement among the senator-judges.
House prosecutor Terry Ridon said the prosecution could handle as many as three witnesses during a whole-day hearing, although the actual pace would depend on direct examination, questioning by the defense and interventions from senator-judges.
The timetable has become significant because both camps have previously sought substantial time to present their cases. Senate Secretary Renato Bantug earlier said the prosecution had proposed 62 trial days and the defense 30, or 92 days combined. He noted that presenting several witnesses per session could substantially shorten that projection.
Prosecutors are also exploring agreements with the defense on facts or evidence that no longer need to be established through lengthy testimony. Such stipulations could eliminate the need to call some witnesses and allow the impeachment court to focus on disputed issues.
Former DepEd special disbursing officer Edward Fajarda is among the witnesses whose appearance could potentially be avoided. Lead House prosecutor Gerville Luistro said the prosecution was considering stipulations because of Fajarda’s medical condition, but any agreement would have to preserve evidence needed to establish its case.
The prosecution is still presenting evidence under Article I, which accuses Duterte of misusing Php 612.5 million in confidential funds, including Php 500 million allocated to the Office of the Vice President and Php 112.5 million at the Department of Education during her tenure as education secretary. The allegations remain for the Senate impeachment court to determine.