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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider 'Gumugulong na': Prosecution happy with progress in VP Sara impeachment trial

'Gumugulong na': Prosecution happy with progress in VP Sara impeachment trial

Published Jun 19, 2026 06:25 pm

At A Glance

  • House prosecutors have welcomed the June 18 pre-trial conference as a sign that the Senate trial of VP Sara Duterte will proceed.
  • Luistro confirmed the trial starts July 6, as praised all players involved for expediting proceedings long awaited by the public.
  • Adiong says the Constitution's accountability mechanism is now working, with the next pre-trial set for June 22.
Vice President Sara Duterte (PPAB)
Vice President Sara Duterte (PPAB)


Members of the House prosecution panel are elated that the proverbial ball is now rolling toward the much-awaited Senate impeachment trial against Vice President Sara Duterte.
Lead prosecutor Batangas 2nd district Rep. Gerville “Jinky Bitrics” Luistro and prosecution panel spokesperson Lanao del Sur 1st district Rep. Zia Alonto Adiong pointed to the smooth and orderly pre-trial conference Thursday, June 18 as a good indicator of things to come.
Luistro said the prosecution expects the proceedings to continue moving forward after the parties began marking documentary exhibits connected to the Articles of Impeachment.
“And then ang maliwanag kahapon, ang start talaga ng trial is July 6 at magtutuloy-tuloy na ‘yan (And then what was clear yesterday is that the trial really starts on July 6 and will proceed continuously)," Luistro said.
“Kaya (That’s why) we would like to commend the impeachment court, the prosecution team and even the defense team for taking as stance towards an expeditious proceedings towards this pre-trial para makaumpisa na tayo sa July 6 (so that we can start on July 6) because after all, ito matagal nang hinihintay ang taong bayan (the people have long been waiting for this),” she added.
Similarly enthused was Adiong, who described the closed-door pre-trial conference at the Senate as "Overall, maganda (it's good)."
“We have finally come to a point na assured na tayo that the ball is rolling, ika nga (so to speak). Tuloy-tuloy (It’s continuous),” the spokesperson said.
He added: “We are very happy that now, ‘yung tinatawag po nating accountability mechanism ng ating Constitution ay gumugulong na (the so-called accountability mechanism of the Constitution is now working)."
Meanwhile, Adiong said the disagreements and objections raised during Thursday’s proceedings were expected and should not be viewed as unusual.
“I would not even call it tension kasi that’s expected, that’s expected and it’s a usual occurrence naman talaga in (during) a pre-trial conference,” he said. The impeachment respondent, Duterte, didn't attend the event.
Adiong, whose main task is to laymanize the impeachment proceedigns for the benefit of the Filipino people, says the prosecution is looking forward to the continuation of the pre-trial proceedings on Monday, June 22.
Vice President Duterte's conviction via impeachment trial is being sought over her offices' alleged misuse of P612.5 million worth of confidential funds; untruthful declarations in the filing of her statements of assets, liabilities, and net worth; unexplained wealth; and death threats to President Marcos, First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos, and former House Speaker Leyte 1st district Rep. Martin Romualdez.
Duterte was also impeached on basically the same allegations in 2025, but she was never put on trial by the Senate.

Related Tags

impeachment trial Sara Duterte IMPEACHMENT Zia Alonto Adiong Gerville \"Jinky Bitrics\" Luistro Pre-trial conference prosecution
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