Manuel Mogato | September 8, 2026
MANILA — The panel of prosecution, sitting congressman, planned to ask the Senate impeachment court to summon the vice president to take the witness stand to answer allegations about her misuse of government funds, unexplained wealth and threats made to the president.
Lawyer Lorna Kapunan, a private prosecutor, in an open court indicated the prosecution panel may ask the Senate to subpoena Sara Duterte towards the end of her trial.
Kapunan likened Duterte to a “queen” in a chess game as the “most important piece” on the chessboard.
Duterte’s lawyers would object to calling the vice president to the witness stand, citing her constitutional right under the bill of rights.
Senator Francis Escudero, sitting as presiding judge, said there was a precedent when former Chief Justice Renato Corona appeared voluntarily at his impeachment trial.
After 22 trial days, the prosecution said all pointed to Vice President Duterte as the one who knew about where 612 million pesos in confidential funds went.
Her staff could not explain how the funds were spent and pointed to two Army colonels who received the money as implementers of the secret funds.
Based on trial records, Duterte had instructed her staff to transfer the money to the two Army colonels. (Also read: Vice President’s staff feigns innocence, points to an Army colonel for disbursing intelligence funds)
Kapunan also informed the Senate court that the panel of prosecutors would terminate its presentation of witnesses and documents on the second article of impeachment, the misuse of confidential and intelligence funds.
It will no longer present 15 more witnesses because the prosecution had already proven its theory that the money was misused and only Duterte knew where it went. (Also read: Prosecution panel drops six witnesses to hasten impeachment trial)
Witnesses earlier told the court that an unusual cash withdrawal was made on four occasions and there were no proper liquidations and other documents on how the money was spent.
Three of Duterte’s staff also testified that they were unaware of how the money was spent, and yet they responded to the Commission on Audit’s query when the liquidations were flagged.
The prosecution will begin presenting witnesses and documents on the third article of impeachment focusing on Duterte’s ill-gotten wealth.
The panel of prosecutors planned to present bank and tax records as well as the statements of assets, liabilities, and net worth.
The impeachment trial could result in the Vice President’s removal from her position if convicted and would bar her from seeking any public office in 2028.
