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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider 'Buo na ang pundasyon': Diokno says presenting evidence vs VP Duterte is like building a house

'Buo na ang pundasyon': Diokno says presenting evidence vs VP Duterte is like building a house

Published Jul 11, 2026 11:23 pm

At A Glance

  • Rep. Chel Diokno says the prosecution's first week focused on laying the foundation of its case, likening the process to building a house.
  • The panel began with NBI Agent John Mark Calilung's testimony authenticating video recordings of Duterte's alleged death threats against President Marcos and others.
  • Diokno emphasizes the goal is to show senator-judges and the public the factual and constitutional basis for impeachment, with more evidence to follow before the July 13 trial date.
Akbayan Party-list Rep. Chel Diokno (left), Vice President Sara Duterte (Facebook, MANILA BULLETIN)
Akbayan Party-list Rep. Chel Diokno (left), Vice President Sara Duterte (Facebook, MANILA BULLETIN)


Solon-prosecutor Akbayan Party-list Rep. Chel Diokno expects the prosecution’s presentation of evidence against impeachment trial respondent Vice President Sara Duterte to pack an even bigger punch in the coming days.
According to Diokno, the opening week of the impeachment trial was devoted to establishing a solid foundation to allow him and the rest of the prosecution panel to lay down the rest of its evidence.
In that regard, Diokon likened the prosecutors' job to constructing a house.
“Ang trabaho ng prosecution ay parang magtatayo kami ng bahay. Hindi naman tayo pwedeng magtayo ng bahay kung walang pundasyon,” Diokno said during the Saturday News Forum on July 11 at Dapo Restaurant in Quezon City.
(The work of the prosecution is like building a house. We cannot build a house without a foundation.)
Diokno said the prosecution intentionally began by presenting National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) Senior Agent John Mark Calilung, whose testimony authenticated the video recordings at the center of the impeachment charge accusing Duterte of making grave threats against President Marcos, First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos and former House Speaker Martin Romualdez.
“‘Yung nangyari nitong unang linggo ng ating paglilitis ay mismo ‘yung paglalagay ng pundasyon sa kaso. Itong mga darating na linggo, ang makikita natin, ‘yung bahay na mismo ang itatayo,” he said.
(What happened during the first week of the trial was the laying of the foundation of the case. In the coming weeks, what we will see is the actual construction of the house.)
Diokno said the prosecution aims not only to persuade the senator-judges but also to clearly show the public the factual and constitutional basis for the impeachment complaint.
“Ang purpose syempre noon ay makita ng lahat, hindi lang naman yung mga senator-judge, kundi pati ang nanonood na publiko, kung ano ba talaga ang basehan, kung bakit ba may ganitong articles of impeachment, at bakit umaabot siya doon sa paglabag sa ating Konstitusyon o pagtataksil sa tiwala na binigay ng mamamayan sa ating mga leader,” explained the party-list solon.
(The purpose, of course, is for everyone, not only the senator-judges but also the watching public, to see the basis for why there are articles of impeachment, and why it rises to the level of violating the Constitution or betraying the trust given by the people to our leaders.)
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 and some members of the First Family.
The next trial date will be on Monday, July 13.

Related Tags

Sara Duterte Impeachment Chel Diokno prosecutors impeachment trial evidence Foundation
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