File photo shows a visitor wearing a guest pass for the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte during the October 12, 2026 proceedings at the Senate Impeachment Court. (Courtesy: Senate of the Philippines)
A trial spokesperson for the prosecution in Vice President Sara Duterte’s impeachment trial expects the proceedings to conclude toward the end of next month.
Former Surigao del Norte representative and governor Ace Barbers, an impeachment adviser for the prosecution, said the defense had initially requested 30 trial days to present its evidence before prosecutors withdrew three of the four impeachment articles against Duterte.
However, Barbers said the defense had requested only eight trial days for the remaining charge involving the alleged unexplained wealth of Duterte and her husband, Manases Carpio.
If the defense sticks to that timeline, its presentation of evidence could be completed within two weeks from Nov. 9, when the trial resumes after the Senate and House of Representatives’ All Saints’ Day break.
“They were asking for 30 trial days, but for this article, specifically Article II on unexplained wealth, as far as I know, they requested only eight trial days,” Barbers said during the Saturday News Forum at Dapo Restaurant in Quezon City.
He noted that the Senate impeachment court had been holding hearings from Monday to Friday before the recess, but said the defense could still use the full 30 days it had requested.
After the defense concludes its presentation, it will formally offer its evidence, giving the prosecution an opportunity to comment, Barbers said.
The prosecution withdrew the articles concerning alleged grave threats, misuse of confidential funds and bribery, opting to focus on unexplained wealth. In approving the withdrawal, impeachment court presiding officer Sen. Francis Escudero said the defense should limit its presentation to the remaining charge.
Hearings are scheduled for Nov. 9 to 13, Nov. 19 and 20, and Nov. 23. There will be no hearing on Nov. 30, Bonifacio Day.
Removal from office and perpetual disqualification
Barbers also said removal from office and perpetual disqualification from holding public office must be imposed together if the Senate convicts Duterte.
He was responding to a scenario in which Duterte could be removed as vice president but remain eligible to run for public office in the 2028 elections.
“Under our Constitution, these cannot be separated. That is the consequence of an impeachment process, in which the respondent is penalized with removal from office and perpetual disqualification from holding public office,” Barbers said.
He ruled out a plea bargain in impeachment proceedings, saying there was no constitutional basis for allowing a respondent to admit to a lesser offense in exchange for a lighter penalty.
Separate investigations into the allegations covered by the withdrawn articles will continue, the prosecution said. A grave threats case against Duterte is pending before a Quezon City regional trial court, while the Office of the Ombudsman is investigating her alleged misuse of P612.5 million in confidential funds and alleged bribery of Department of Education officials during her tenure as education secretary.
Meanwhile, Escudero said he would reject any offer to become vice president if Duterte were removed from office, citing a conflict of interest because he would have participated in the decision that created the vacancy.
In a recent podcast with Esmeraldo Villanueva and Nico David, Escudero said he had received no such offer but would decline if one were made.
“I will not accept it for a simple reason: conflict of interest. We were the ones who decided, so that doesn’t seem right,” he said.
Escudero stressed that his position was personal and did not bind other lawmakers. Under the Constitution, the president nominates a replacement from Congress when the vice presidency becomes vacant.
A nominee must be a natural-born Filipino citizen, at least 40 years old, a registered voter and able to read and write.
He cited the appointment of former senator Teofisto Guingona Jr. by then-President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo as a precedent. Guingona’s appointment was confirmed by a majority vote of both houses of Congress following the ouster of former President Joseph Estrada.
Senate Minority Leader Alan Peter Cayetano, meanwhile, urged senator-judges to remain politically neutral and base their decisions solely on evidence.
In a Facebook post on Monday, Cayetano said impartiality was especially important in impeachment proceedings involving presidents and vice presidents. He backed Escudero’s declaration and urged all senator-judges, including himself, to make the same commitment.
The trial now centers on Article II, which accuses Duterte of unexplained wealth, failure to fully declare her assets and failure to divest business interests.