The impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte is set to continue on Wednesday, November 11, with the defense expected to present additional witnesses and evidence to counter the allegations of unexplained wealth and failure to fully disclose business interests.
The Senate impeachment court is scheduled to resume proceedings at 10 a.m., with the hearing set to run until 3 p.m. before giving way to the Senate plenary session, as needed. The trial may continue after the plenary proceedings.
The defense presentation follows the resumption of the trial on November 9, after nearly a month-long suspension, with the Senate impeachment court beginning to hear the evidence and witnesses lined up by Duterte's legal team.
Among the defense's initially listed witnesses are corporate officials, local government personnel, property assessors and representatives of several banks, who are expected to testify on matters involving the Vice President's business interests, properties, income and financial transactions.
The defense had also listed Atty. Suzette Balucanag-Punay, corporate counsel of GenCorp Industries Inc. and Metro City Chow Foods Corporation, to testify on corporate and business matters involving the companies and present relevant corporate records covering 2022 to 2025.
Other witnesses are expected to address property tax declarations and records concerning properties in Davao City and the Island Garden City of Samal, as well as documents related to Duterte's compensation during her time in public office.
The defense's witness lineup also includes representatives from eight banks, including BDO, BPI, EastWest Bank, Land Bank, Metrobank, Philippine Savings Bank, Security Bank and UnionBank.
The proceedings center on Article II, the only remaining impeachment charge against Duterte after the House prosecution panel withdrew the three other articles involving alleged misuse of confidential funds, bribery, and grave threats against President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., his family and former House Speaker Martin Romualdez.
The prosecution had earlier presented bank, tax, corporate and property records to support its allegations. The defense, meanwhile, is expected to challenge the prosecution's evidence and establish its position on the remaining charge.
The Senate impeachment court is expected to continue hearing the defense's case in the coming days, with additional trial dates scheduled for November 12, 13, 19, 20 and 23.
The senator-judges will ultimately determine whether the evidence presented by both parties is sufficient to establish the allegations against the Vice President.
