The Senate impeachment court is set to resume the trial of Vice President Sara Duterte on Thursday, November 12, with the defense expected to present a Bank of the Philippine Islands (BPI) official and three other witnesses in connection with the remaining charge of alleged unexplained wealth.
The proceedings, scheduled from 10 a.m. to 6:30 p.m., will mark the 43rd day of Duterte’s impeachment trial.
During Wednesday’s hearing, defense counsel Michael Poa announced that they would no longer present the testimonies of the 16 bank representatives initially included in their witness list, except for Atty. Paul Roderick Ysmael, senior vice president of BPI.
Poa said the decision was made in the interest of time and to shorten the proceedings.
Ysmael is expected to testify on and identify certified true copies of letters requested by Duterte and her husband, lawyer Manases Carpio, through their legal counsel in 2026, as well as the bank’s responses to these requests and other relevant documents.
Following Ysmael’s testimony, the defense is also expected to present three other witnesses: Atty. Anel Martin Antero, Chadrin Parian, and Quezon City Prosecutor Vimar Barcellano.
The three were among the witnesses previously identified by the defense in connection with Article II of the impeachment complaint.
The defense’s presentation comes after the House prosecution formally rested its case in October, following the submission of bank, tax, corporate and property records to support its allegations against the Vice President.
The prosecution has accused Duterte of accumulating unexplained wealth, failing to truthfully disclose her assets in her Statements of Assets, Liabilities and Net Worth (SALNs), and failing to divest from business interests as required by the Constitution.
The prosecution previously presented evidence alleging at least P817.87 million in undeclared assets and unexplained wealth. Duterte has denied the allegations, while her defense team has challenged the evidence presented against her.
The impeachment proceedings now focus solely on Article II after the prosecution withdrew the three other articles involving alleged misuse of confidential funds, bribery, and grave threats.
The Senate impeachment court is scheduled to continue hearing the defense’s evidence on November 13, with additional proceedings set for November 19, 20 and 23.
The senator-judges will ultimately determine whether the evidence presented by both parties is sufficient to warrant Duterte’s conviction or acquittal.
