Sen. Alan Peter Cayetano on Tuesday questioned the prosecution’s withdrawal of three articles of impeachment against Vice President Sara Duterte, stressing the need for fairness in the proceedings and urging the Senate to prioritize the national budget.

During the 39th day of Duterte’s impeachment trial, Cayetano said the Constitution imposes no deadline for completing the proceedings, warning against rushing the case simply to finish it by November.

“There’s no limit in the Constitution. We can finish this in January. We can finish this in February. We can take a break tomorrow and focus on the budget. It is our choice. Kung ako masusunod, unahin natin yung budget,” Cayetano said.

He cited pressing national concerns, including the looming Super El Niño, the ongoing flood control investigation and the global economic crisis, as reasons for giving priority to the 2027 national budget.

Cayetano also questioned the prosecution’s decision to withdraw three of the four articles of impeachment after presenting evidence for 38 days, saying the defense should be given a fair opportunity to respond to the allegations already presented before the impeachment court.

“It’s unfair to the defense and to the impeachable officer now to say na bahala na si Batman, bahala na kayo sa press con, bahala na kayo sa social media mag-defense,” he said.

He likened the situation to a boxing match in which the prosecution had already landed punches on the defense before asking it not to retaliate in the interest of saving time.

"Kumbaga sa suntukan, sinuntok n’yo na yung defense tapos sasabihin niyo to save time, huwag na kayo gumanti. And then sasabihin yung platform ang gagamitin."

Cayetano stressed that the impeachment proceedings must uphold due process and fairness, regardless of whether Duterte is acquitted or convicted.

He also warned that rushing the trial to meet a November target could undermine public confidence in the outcome and become a source of regret in the future.

“Whatever the judgment, it has to be acceptable by the Filipino people,” he said.

The impeachment court, through Presiding Officer Francis “Chiz” Escudero, ultimately accepted the prosecution’s manifestation to withdraw three of the four articles of impeachment against Duterte.

The court also set Nov. 9 as the start of the defense’s presentation of its case.