Dev Flores

Private Prosecutor, Atty. Lorna Kapunan has questioned why VP Sara skipped the second day of the impeachment trial while she was actually seen on the Senate premises earlier today, July 8, 2026.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BvqzFn2zZZg

“My respectful query, Your Honors, please, which could be directed to the defense counsels, is if the Vice President is in the premises, does she intend to appear personally before this impeachment court?” she said

Earlier, Defense team spokesperson Atty. Michael Poa confirmed that the Vice President will physically attend on the Senate premises to meet with her defense team, not to attend the trial.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7O_IdKlLRfQ

Kapunan questioned if the Vice President has a plan or intention to attend physically because she is included in the key witnesses in the articles of impeachment regarding grave threats and acts of sedition. 

“First article that we will be presenting, which is grave threats and acts of sedition,” Kapunan said

“One of the key witnesses, albeit hostile, would be the Vice President, and therefore, if we can inquire, if it is her intention to again appear in the premises of the Senate?  Because we are already respectfully informing this honorable court that we will manifest that we will have a written request for her presence in connection with this article on grave threats,” she asked

As a response, Presiding Senator-Judge Chiz Escudero emphasized the impeachment rules where the Vice President is not required to attend physically, but can be represented by her defense team in the trial.

“To answer, the impeachment rules do not mandate nor require the respondent to attend any hearing or trial of the impeachment court. Whether she was in the building earlier or arrived after, it is totally up to the respondent because, from the point of view of the court, she is represented in this court through her counsel already,” Escudero said

“Should the counsel for the prosecutors desire to call the respondent herself? ‘The court will act on that motion and request’ once it is made and/or filed and need not make a ruling at this point in time. Because, of course, when that ruling, when that motion is made, we will ask the counsel respondent to make a comment and or reply,” he added

https://www.youtube.com/live/otnxfcsGE-Y?si=sMI31Jb7BUMXVgjh

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Senate President Sherwin Gatchalian stated that he opened the idea to his fellow senators to elect Senator Francis Chiz Escudero as a presiding officer to the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte.

He clarified in his official statement that Sen. Escudero will preside over the trial, and he will retain full supervision to ensure that proceedings are conducted fairly.

“Senator Escudero will preside over the day-to-day conduct of the trial. As Senate President, I retain full supervision over the impeachment court and will stay closely engaged throughout, to ensure the proceedings are conducted fairly, in accordance with the Constitution, our Rules of Procedure on Impeachment Trials, and the highest standards of due process,” he said

Additionally, his decision will pave a way to do his other constitutional mandate or other duties of the Senate.

“This arrangement also allows me to help shepherd the other equally important business awaiting this chamber, chief among them, key Legislative-Executive Development Advisory Council (LEDAC) measures, deliberations on the proposed 2027 national budget, and hearings in aid of legislation on urgent national concerns such as the flood control controversy and school-related violence and the other urgent business of the nation,” he said

He also assured the public this matter doesn’t mean that he disregards the trial, but it shows his determination to pay attention not just in the impeachment trial but also in the other duties that the Senate must face.

“Nais kong tiyakin sa taumbayan na hindi ito nangangahulugan na binabalewala natin ang bigat ng paglilitis na ito. Sa katunayan, ipinapakita nito ang ating determinasyon na bigyan ng buong pansin, kapwa ang paglilitis at ang ibang tungkuling nakaatang sa Senado,” he said

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The House prosecution panel stated that it is the right of VP Sara to have her lawyers represent her instead of physically attending the Senate impeachment court. They also believed that this was the legal strategy employed by her defense team. That was their response when questioned regarding the absence of VP Sara on the first day of trial.

“Diskarte nila ‘yan eh, so it’s up to them,” according to Rep. Joel Chua

“That's an application of accountability. It's not the house prosecution anymore that's asking her to attend. It's the impeachment court,” Rep. Terry Ridon said

“That is her prerogative. Kapag hindi siya umattend, kapag walang counsel, kapag walang answer, the trial will simply proceed,” said Rep. Jinky Luistro

“Well, hse actually has the discretion not to bear pero it doesn't sit well. It doesn't look well. Right?” according to Rep. Leila De Lima

According to Bicol Saro Party-list Representative Terry Ridon, her absence reflects the level of her respect for the court. 

“Iba na ho iyon. So, if she doesn't appear then, it speaks of the level of respect that she would want to convey to the Senate impeachment court,” he said

Nevertheless, the prosecution remains prepared to present its witnesses and evidence, whether VP Sara will attend the trial or not, says Atty. Benjamin Tolosa Jr., a legal spokesperson for House prosecutors.

“So far as we are concerned? Our singular focus here will not change regardless of her appearance. We will make sure that we will be able to establish solid evidence to back serious allegations against her regardless of she will be there or not,” he said

The prosecution panel also responded to Senate President Sherwin Gatchalian’s call to reduce the number of trial dates and witnesses to shorten the proceedings.

“We heard the statement of the Senate President about this yesterday. And of course, we will try to conclude the presentation of evidence in an expeditious manner without, of course sacrificing our ability to do it in a proper and effective way as well. Pag papayagan tayo magpresenta ng mahigit sa isang testigo kada araw susubukan nating gawin yan if the time permits,”

The House prosecution panel is set to present its witnesses and evidence regarding the articles of impeachment on grave threats and inciting to sedition. However, this is expected to take place on the second and third days of the trial.

With reports from Rosalie Coz

Watch the livestream of the impaechment trial (Day 2):

Amid the approaching super typhoon entering the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR), Vice President Sara Duterte is focused on preparation efforts, according to Defense Team Spokesperson Atty. Michael Poa.

He stated that the Vice President had skipped the first day of the impeachment trial because she was in a planning session for Super Typhoon Bavi.

“Actually, ang mandato po niya bilang bise presidente magtrabaho para sa bayan at yun nga po ‘yung ginagawa niya. In fact, I just spoke to her a few minutes ago. She's actually in a planning session with members of the OVP to prepare for Super Typhoon Bavi. So yun ang ginagawa niya,” he said

According to the defense team, the lawyers will represent the Vice President in accordance with the guidelines of the Senate impeachment court.

They also denied that her absence was an attempt to evade her duties and responsibilities to the nation.

“Parati kong sinasabi, ‘yung pagharap niya sa kaso ay ginagawa na sa kasalukuyan. Kaya nga matagal na siyang nag-form ng isang defense team dahil alam niyang hahantong tayo sa ganito at kaya naman kaming mga abogado niya ay nandito para talagang i-litigate itong kaso at sagutin at patunayan na wala pong basehan yung mga paratang laban sa kanya,” he said

Atty. Poa didn’t disclose any details about the Vice President's possible physical appearance. 

He also stated that certain matters cannot be made public, noting the scope of Attorney-Client privilege; however, it doesn’t mean that she will never show up on other trial days. 

The defense team cannot disclose when she’s going to show up, as this is a part of their legal strategy. 

“No, we're not saying anything right now. As I've always mentioned, ang kanyang physical presence, we will assess kung kinakailangan. Bakit hindi? But that will depend on how the proceedings go, and we will advise her accordingly,” he said

The defense team also trusts and respect the leadership in the Senate impeachment court, as it has sufficient experience in handling the case.

They also denied that they are going to use delaying tactics in the impeachment proceedings and emphasized that they are currently focused on the direction of the impeachment trial. 

With reports from Evan Alvarez

Watch the full livestream of the impeachment trial (Day 1):

Bagong Silangan High School debunked the circulating fake news regarding rumors of a shooting or stabbing incident on campus.

According to the official statement of the school, there is no such incident happened in the establishment.

“Bagong Silangan High School firmly clarifies that no stabbing or shooting incident occurred inside the school campus,” based on an online issued statement

The fake news reportedly spead via Messenger and is currently under investigation. The school is actively coordinating with concerned authorities to trace the souce of the disinformation and hold the responsible accountable.

“We continue to work closely with law enforcement authorities to identify the source of this malicious disinformation and to ensure that appropriate legal action is taken against those responsible,” they said

The educational institution urged the public to refrain from sharing unverified information and rely only in legitimate platforms of the school or the government for verified updates.

“We strongly urge everyone to exercise responsibility in sharing information. Please refrain from forwarding unverified messages and rely only on official announcements issued by Bagong Silangan High School, the Schools Division Office, and other authorized government agencies,” based on the official statement