Impeachment Trial ⚖️
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If Sara is convicted, who likely inherits the Duterte voters & who could become the frontrunner? What kind of democracy could Filipinos inherit in 2028?
Given political tensions within the Senate, what would happen if the Cayetano bloc did not attend the pre-trial conference out of a refusal to recognize recent changes in leadership? Would this warrant a delay?
in your own legal opinion, why did former senate president chiz escudero leave the cayetano-led bloc to complete the minority’s quorum?
Since the pre-trial shall cover the submission of evidence and list of witnesses, will a surprise witness be allowed during the impeachment trial?
Are there any possible issues that may emerge from the pre-trial that would delay the impeachment process?
Does Senator Chiz Escudero's decision to leave the Cayetano-led bloc have any impact on the impeachment proceedings, particularly for the pre-trial?
FACT CHECK: Quote card decrying ‘bias’ in Duterte case cites fake ICC judge
There are no ICC judges or prosecutors named ‘Ambawtukahm.’ The name of the prosecutor in former president Rodrigo Duterte’s case is Mame Mandiaye Niang.
Read the full article here:
https://www.rappler.com/newsbreak/fact-check/quote-card-decry-bias-rodrigo-duterte-case-cites-fake-icc-judge/
CIDG says Rene Baterbonia, Divine Adili deaths ‘not an accident’
The CIDG counters the Aurora police's initial claims that the two Ateneo players' deaths were a 'natural accident'
Read the full article here:
https://www.rappler.com/sports/uaap/cidg-rene-baterbonia-divine-adili-deaths-not-accident/
The Senate impeachment court begins the pre-trial conference of Vice President Sara Duterte’s impeachment proceedings on Thursday, June 18.
This is the process where the defense and prosecutors will discuss mark evidence and discuss possible witnesses to make the actual trial seamless.
Photo by Senate PRIB
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House prosecution spokespersons hold a press conference on Thursday, June 18, 2026.
Watch here: https://www.youtube.com/live/j7c-kaWmSOk
Prosecution, defense finished marking of evidence for bribery article on Vice President Sara Duterte’s impeachment proceedings
The House prosecutors and the defense team of Vice President Sara Duterte had finished the marking of evidence on the bribery article (third article of impeachment) in Duterte’s impeachment proceedings on Thursday, June 18.
The marking of evidence is part of the pre-trial proceedings to allow easier reference to evidence during trial proper.
Defense’s spokesperson Michael Poa says they are almost done with the fourth article, which is the grave threats allegation.
Impeachment trial prosecution team names Benjamin Tolosa as its legal spokesperson.
“He will be speaking in behalf of the prosecution team, particularly with respects to developments happening in the impeachment trial,” lead prosecutor Jinky Luistro says.
Tolosa is the founding and managing Partner of the Tolosa Javier Lim & Chua Law Firm. | via Dwight de Leon - Rappler
Prosecution: VP Sara camp tried to raise conviction threshold issue during pre-trial The prosecution team said Vice President Sara Duterte's lawyers attempted to raise the issue of lowering the conviction threshold during the pre-trial conference. Prosecution spokesperson Benjamin Tolosa, however, said lead prosecutor Jinky Luistro immediately shut the issue down, arguing that it is something that cannot be resolved during pre-trial proceedings. Luistro previously suggested that the conviction threshold should be reduced to 15 because only 22 out of 24 senators are within the coercive powers of the Senate. The Constitution requires two-thirds of the Senate's composition to convict an impeachable official. | via Dwight de Leon - Rappler
Prosecution refutes report that Luistro was 'eaten alive' during pre-trial
The prosecution team refutes reports last week that trial lead prosecutor Jinky Luistro was outgunned by Vice President Sara Duterte's lawyers during the first day of pre-trial proceedings.
"That is not true. I charge it to 'fake news,' and the people should become very cautious now in watching from the social media. We should be careful in deciphering what is correct and what is false," Luistro says.
Newly appointed prosecution legal spokesperson Benjamin Tolosa adds it is also "factually impossible" for someone to get an upper hand on Luistro.
"To say that you got an upper hand, it should mean that you were able to get favorable rulings on your part, but that's impossible. Why? Because the clerk of the impeachment court cannot make any rulings," Tolosa explains. | via Isabel Victorino - Intern
Prosecution eyes 62 trial dates; VP Sara’s camp seeks 30
Newly appointed prosecution spokesperson Benjamin Tolosa says the prosecution has requested 62 trial dates, compared with the 30 sought by the defense.
The allotted dates will be used for the presentation of evidence and witnesses. However, Tolosa notes that the schedule could still change as the proceedings progress.
“It will depend on the impeachment court’s discretion. We will see in the pre-trial order, once it is issued, the actual number of days that will be allocated for each party,” Tolosa says.
Lead prosecutor Jinky Luistro believes the impeachment trial could extend beyond September.
What is a pre-trial order?
A pre-trial order is an agreed-upon "blueprint" between the prosecution and the defense, crafted with the participation of the impeachment court.
“Matters that are not incorporated in the pre-trial order cannot be presented during the trial,” trial lead prosecutor Jinky Luistro explains.
The order should include matters related to the impeachment case that are agreed upon by both parties. Issues on which the prosecution and defense disagree must also be identified and listed as “disputed issues and controversies.”
"The pre-trial order is very important because it serves as the framework for the proceedings. As a general rule, evidence not included in the pre-trial order may not be presented during the trial,” Luistro says in Filipino.
Impeach prosecutors hope to finish pre-trial conference Monday, June 22
Trial lead prosecutor and Batangas 2nd District Representative Jinky Luistro says the prosecution aims to expedite the pre-trial proceedings in Vice President Sara Duterte’s impeachment trial despite challenges.
Luistro says the marking of exhibits for Articles 1 and 2 is currently underway. The impeachment court is expected to release the pre-trial order after the marking of all exhibits for both parties.
“It has always been the position of the prosecution to expedite the pre-trial confidence and that is why we would want to finish this marking today, but of course, there are challenges and limitations and we acknowledge that,” Luistro says.
“What is important is with regard to the start of the trial, it is certain that it will commence on July 6 as previously announced by the Senate,” Luistro adds.
WATCH: House prosecution spokespersons Benjamin Tolosa Jr, Zia Adiong, and Renee Co hold press conference on Monday, June 22, 2026. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tzsb6LvbE8A
Here’s the order of how the House prosecutors want to present the articles of impeachment Article 4 - alleged assassination plot vs President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and his family Article 1 - Confidential funds issue Article 3 - alleged bribery of Department of Education officials Article 2 - SALN, unexplained wealth
The House Prosecution panel also asks the Senate impeachment court for Vice President Sara Duterte’s team to specifiy purpose of their witnesses.
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