MANILA — The House prosecution panel's preparations for the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte are nearly complete, according to one of its members.

House Assistant Majority Leader Raul Angelo “Jil” Bongalon of Ako Bicol party-list said on Thursday that they are around 90 to 95% ready in terms of evidence and prospective witnesses.

He said the witnesses had already appeared in House hearings into Duterte's use of confidential funds allocated to her office and to the Department of Education when she headed it.

 “Ngayon, pinag-aaralan namin kung magdadagdag pa kami or kung enough na ‘yung mga taong ‘yun bilang aming testigo dito po sa impeachment case,” he told the media in an online press conference.

(We are looking at whether we need to have more, or if they will be enough)

House prosecutors welcomed Senate President Francis Escudero’s order for Senate offices to prepare for the trial, with Bongalon hoping the trial will begin in March — Escudero has proposed that the impeachment court convene in June and for trial to start on July 30.

“It is a positive development… Probably they have realized the urgency as well as the responsibility, as enshrined in the Constitution,” he said.

Manila City 3rd District Rep. Joel Chua, also of the the House prosecution panel, said preparations at the Senate “[affirm] our commitment to upholding accountability at the highest levels of government."

Bongalon said trial could take around two to three months, adding that it could be wrapped up during the 19th Congress if it starts in March. 

The members of the prosecution panel may yet change after the May elections, with sitting House members' terms ending on June 30. 

Escudero timetable sees VP Duterte impeachment trial starting on July 30

SURVEY ON VP IMPEACHMENT 

Reacting to a recent survey showing more Filipinos disagree with the impeachment of Vice President Duterte than those who agree with it, Bongalon said public sentiment may change depending on developments in the trial.

A February 10 to 18, 2025 WR Numero survey showed 47% of respondents disagree with Duterte’s impeachment, 33% agree with it, and 20% are undecided.

Two months earlier, a Social Weather Stations survey showed more respondents backed Duterte’s impeachment at 41%, with 35% against it, and at least 19% said they were undecided.

“For me, it’s not about marami ang ayaw, marami ang gusto (For me, it's not about how many don't want it and how many do). It is a political process, a process for upholding transparency and accountability,” Bongalon said.

Nearly half of Filipinos disagree with House impeachment of VP Sara Duterte — survey

On Thursday, the House of Representatives posted on its official Facebook page a video explaining the impeachment process, and the Articles of Impeachment against Duterte.

“It's one way for us, probably also explaining to the people on why we have signed that impeachment complaint… May mga technical matters doon na kailangan malaman din po ng taumbayan (There are technical matters there that our people need to learn) in plain and simple language,” he added.

“Baka kasi sinasabi, 'hindi, pulitika lang ‘yan' o kaya 'galit lang kayo sa vice president'. Hindi po ‘yun ang punto,” Bongalon noted.

(Because there may be some who are saying 'no, that is just politics' or 'you are just angry at the vice president'. No, that is not the point)

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