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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider Defensor: Expect sustained 'energy' from House prosecution during VP Duterte trial

Defensor: Expect sustained 'energy' from House prosecution during VP Duterte trial

Published Jul 8, 2026 10:45 am

At A Glance

  • Rep. Lorenz Defensor praises the prosecution's strong showing in Vice President Sara Duterte's impeachment trial and vows to sustain the same energy.
  • The team opens with the fourth article of impeachment, presenting NBI Agent John Mark Calilung to confirm a video of alleged death threats.
  • Defensor highlights that all planned evidence was presented and stresses the team's readiness for the trial ahead.
Iloilo 3rd district Rep. Lorenz Defensor (left), Vice President Sara Duterte (MANILA BULLETIN, PPAB)
Iloilo 3rd district Rep. Lorenz Defensor (left), Vice President Sara Duterte (MANILA BULLETIN, PPAB)


The House prosecution panel has vowed to keep up the same level of "energy" that it has shown throughout Vice President Sara Duterte's Senate impeachment trial.
Thus, said solon-prosecutor Iloilo 3rd district Rep. Lorenz Defensor, as he patted the team's back for its performance Tuesday, July 7 in the impeachment court.
“We were very satisfied with the outcome of today’s trial. No victory can be claimed until matapos ang verdict (until the verdict is made), but today was a very satisfactory day for the prosecution team,” Defensor said during a press briefing after the hearing.
“Aasahan niyo mauulit itong ginawa namin ngayon (Rest assured that we will repeat what we did today). We will sustain this kind of energy during the trial, and we will continue to be respectful to our senator-judges,” said the House senior deputy majority leader.
Senate President Sherwin Gatchalian had earlier estimated that Duterte’s impeachment trial could last seven to eight months. The prosecution is expected to present 57 witnesses.
Tuesday was the second day of Duterte’s trial and the first day of the prosecution’s presentation of evidence.
Defensor said Tuesday’s presentation reflected months of preparation, with the prosecution deciding as early as last year to open its case with the fourth article of impeachment. This covers the allegation of grave threats and inciting to sedition against the Vice President.
Taking the witness stand that day was the prosecution's first witness, National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) Senior Agent John Mark Calilung.
Calilung was able to confirm before the Senate impeachment court a video supporting the allegation that the respondent made death threats to President Marcos and other members of the First Family.
Perhaps more importantly, the prosecution had this video--marked Nov. 23, 2024--played during the hearing for the public to see.
“Lumabas ang lahat ng ebidensya naming gustong ihain sa Senate impeachment court. At lahat ng statements na gustong ilabas ng impeachment team, nailabas namin,” Defensor said.
(All the evidence we wanted to present before the Senate impeachment court came out. And all the statements the impeachment team wanted to release, we released.)
“All I can tell you is that we are prepared for this impeachment trial, and we have anticipated every technicality or every scenario possible sa aming paghahanda (in our preparation),” he added.
Defensor said the prosecution intends to carry the same level of preparation and discipline through the rest of the proceedings.

Related Tags

Impeachment Lorenz Defensor Sara Duterte impeachment trial energy prosecution SENATE
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