Senate Wraps Day 22 of VP Sara Trial, Locks Marathon October Hearings Around Budget Season

In an ANC 24/7 report, ABS-CBN's Victoria Tulad recapped the second half of Day 22 of the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte, where the House prosecution panel doubled down on its decision to skip key security officers despite persistent questions from senator-judges. The Senate impeachment court, sitting under Presiding Officer Francis "Chiz" Escudero in Pasay City, also locked in a grueling schedule that will see whole-day marathon sessions in October squeezed around the P7.2-trillion national budget deliberations.

The day's proceedings on Monday, the 10th week of the trial that began July 6, centered on the prosecution's effort to verify the identities of confidential fund (CF) recipients of the Office of the Vice President (OVP), with a Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) official scheduled to testify. For ordinary Filipinos watching public funds and accountability, the stakes are clear: the Senate must decide whether the Vice President is removed from office and permanently disqualified, all while ensuring the 2027 national budget is not left in limbo.

Senate Wraps Day 22 of VP Sara Trial, Locks Marathon October Hearings Around Budget Season

Manila, Philippines — The Senate impeachment court on Monday adjourned Day 22 of the trial of Vice President Sara Duterte after the prosecution reiterated it will not present former Vice Presidential Security and Protection Group (VPSPG) chief Colonel Raymund Lachica and deputy chief Colonel Dennis Nolasco, drawing pointed questions from senator-judge Erwin Tulfo about the Vice President's alleged involvement in the disbursement of confidential funds.

Prosecution Stands Firm on Dropping Lachica and Nolasco

Lead prosecutor and House justice committee chair The prosecution told the court the allegation of misuse of funds has already been satisfied by prior witnesses, a position echoed by prosecution panel adviser Surigao del Norte Rep. Robert Ace Barbers. "We won't present Lachica. It is not necessary because the previous witnesses' testimony already substantiates our allegations," Barbers said, referring to the decision announced Friday to also drop alleged bagman Ramil Madriaga.

Manila Rep. Benny Abante went further, calling additional non-OVP witnesses "overkill" and urging the court to take a more direct approach. "Let's subpoena the Vice President... let's go to the jugular," Abante said. Prosecutor Joel Chua acknowledged the option but noted, "We have the option to call her, but we can't force her." The prosecution's strategy now shifts to presenting unexplained wealth evidence before moving to bribery-related allegations, lead prosecutor and House justice committee chair Gerville "Jinky" Luistro said in an ANC 24/7 clip.

Senator-Judge Tulfo Presses on the 'Missing Link'

Senator-judge Erwin Tulfo, who has previously called Lachica the "missing link" in the confidential funds controversy, pressed the prosecution in Tagalog, essentially asking whether the Vice President had any involvement or whether the money was just pocketed. "May kinalaman ba ang VP o binulsa mo lang?" Tulfo asked, also raising whether the court itself can summon the two colonels. "Pwede ba ang korte mismo magpatawag sa kanila?"

Escudero replied directly: "Nothing prevents a court from calling a witness." The exchange highlights a critical tension: while the prosecution believes it has enough evidence, senator-judges are signaling they want the full picture, especially given that Lachica and Nolasco allegedly disbursed confidential funds as chief and deputy chief of the VPSPG. Former OVP employee Gina Acosta earlier testified, and Abante underscored her impact: "We have more than enough with Ms. Gina Acosta's testimony. Can you imagine the Vice President ordering the transfer of P125 million every quarter to one person, who is Lachica?"

Prosecution Moves to Verify Confidential Fund Payees

On Day 22, the prosecution worked to verify the identities of people listed as recipients of the OVP's confidential funds, with PSA Assistant National Statistician Marissa Grande scheduled to testify. The move is part of the prosecution's effort to establish a paper trail linking the funds to real individuals, a crucial step in proving the alleged misuse of more than P612 million in OVP confidential funds while Duterte was Vice President and, earlier, Education secretary.

The court adjourned in the afternoon, consistent with this week's calendar where trial sessions run from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., allowing senators to shift to legislative work afterward. The prosecution aims to conclude its witness presentation for the confidential-funds article around September 9, setting the stage for the next phase of the case.

Senate Locks Marathon October Trial Calendar

Senate Majority Leader Juan Miguel "Migz" Zubiri announced the finalized calendar after a Senate caucus, a schedule reported on September 3 and reiterated on Monday. This week, the trial runs September 7-9 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., with plenary, budget, and committee hearings from 3 p.m. onward. September 10-11 are dedicated to budget hearings, and September 14 returns to trial from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. before afternoon legislative work.

The real grind begins in October: from October 1-15, excluding weekends, the court will hold whole-day trial sessions from 10 a.m. to early evening on October 1-2, 5-9, and 12-15. Escudero told the parties the whole-day sessions would allow the court to "dispense one to three witnesses per trial date" and warned sessions could on occasion "exceed dinner time." The trial then pauses for budget hearings from October 19-23 and resumes in November, with Escudero earlier flagging November 9 and 16 as resumption dates and "normal programming" from November 23 until the case is finished.

The Budget Squeeze: P7.2 Trillion Hangs in the Balance

The Senate is juggling the impeachment trial with the proposed P7.2-trillion national budget for 2027, a dual burden that has senators working long hours. Finance committee chair Senator JV Ejercito framed the stakes bluntly: "It's either we finish the impeachment or have a reenacted budget." Zubiri has said senators are working long hours and want the trial wrapped before Christmas, a target that now hinges on the October marathon and the November resumption.

To manage the load, the Senate approved suspending its rules so senators can attend concurrent budget hearings while still being counted for plenary, a "continuing quorum" arrangement mentioned by impeachment court spokesman Reginald Tongol. The September 17-29 stretch is dedicated to budget hearings, and September 30 marks the suspension of sessions, giving senators a brief breather before the October trial marathon.

What This Means for Filipino Taxpayers and Voters

For ordinary Filipinos, this trial is not just about one official — it is about how public funds are guarded and how accountability is enforced at the highest levels of government. The confidential funds at the center of the case involve taxpayer money meant for security and intelligence purposes, and the allegation that these funds were channeled through security officers like Lachica and Nolasco raises questions about oversight and control. The Senate's decision to push through with whole-day sessions in October, despite the budget crunch, signals a commitment to resolving the case before the year ends.

The P7.2-trillion budget for 2027 is equally critical, as it funds basic services from education to infrastructure that affect every Filipino family. A reenacted budget would disrupt government operations and delay programs, making the Senate's balancing act a matter of national consequence. Senators are targeting a verdict before Christmas, and conviction requires 16 of the 24 senator-judges, with the penalty being removal from office and permanent disqualification from public office.

Lawmakers React: 'Let's Go to the Jugular'

The prosecution's decision to drop Lachica, Nolasco, and Madriaga has drawn mixed reactions, with some lawmakers urging the court to take a more aggressive stance. Abante's call to subpoena the Vice President reflects a growing sentiment among some quarters that the trial should directly confront Duterte rather than rely solely on circumstantial evidence. "We have the option to call her, but we can't force her," Chua said, leaving the door open for a possible change in strategy.

Senator Gatchalian has noted that the separate criminal case against Duterte — where a Quezon City court issued an arrest warrant in a grave threats case and she posted bail last week — has no effect on the impeachment trial. The impeachment centers on alleged misuse of confidential funds, alleged bribery and gifts to officials, alleged unexplained wealth compared with her Statements of Assets, Liabilities and Net Worth (SALN), and her alleged threat remarks against President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., First Lady Liza Araneta Marcos, and then-House Speaker Martin Romualdez.

What to Watch For Next

In the coming days, watch whether the prosecution closes its confidential-funds witness presentation by September 9 and formally moves to the unexplained-wealth phase before presenting bribery-related evidence. The impeachment court itself could also decide to subpoena Lachica or Nolasco even though the prosecution will not call them, a move that would test the boundaries of the court's authority and potentially reshape the case.

The October whole-day marathon from October 1-15 will be a test of endurance for senators, lawyers, and court staff alike, with sessions potentially running past dinner time. After the budget-hearing pause from October 19-23, the trial resumes in November, and senators are targeting a verdict before Christmas. How the P7.2-trillion 2027 budget clears the Senate on time without a reenacted budget remains a key question, as does the ultimate fate of Vice President Duterte, whose political future now rests in the hands of 24 senator-judges.

This article was produced with AI-assisted research and editorial support. Sources: ANC 24/7, ABS-CBN News, GMA News Online, Rappler, Philippine Daily Inquirer.

By Bella Reyes, Staff Writer