MANILA – Senator-judge Raffy Tulfo on Monday called for the Senate impeachment court to admonish its own spokesperson over an announcement that a verdict in Vice President Sara Duterte’s impeachment trial could be issued by December 16.

During Day 33 of the trial, today, October 5 Tulfo raised concerns over Impeachment Trial Court Spokesperson Atty. Reginald “Regie” Tongol’s public statement, saying it created the impression that the senator-judges had already agreed on a timetable for deciding the case.

Presiding officer Sen. Francis “Chiz” Escudero clarified that the December 16 date was only an estimate derived from the schedule contained in the court’s pre-trial order.

The computation took into account the 61 days requested by the prosecution to present its evidence and 30 days sought by the defense.

Escudero stressed that the projection was based on the calendar rather than how the proceedings are actually unfolding.

“It is based on math. It is not based on the realities on the ground,” Escudero said, adding that Tongol’s statement did not represent the position of the impeachment court.

Tulfo nevertheless maintained that the spokesperson should be reminded to exercise caution when sing publicly on matters that have not been settled by the senator-judges.

He said comments about the timing of a verdict could get ahead of the court and leave senator-judges learning about supposed developments through media reports.

Escudero said he would take Tulfo’s request under advisement. No sanction or formal warning against Tongol was immediately announced.

Questions over the trial timeline had already surfaced before Monday’s proceedings.

Senator-judge Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan earlier said the impeachment court had neither formally nor informally agreed on a December 16 verdict date, describing it as the spokesperson’s own assessment rather than an official court decision.

Senate President and senator-judge Sherwin Gatchalian, meanwhile, separately estimated that the trial could conclude between mid- and late November, but likewise described that as his personal projection based on the current pace of proceedings.

The differing estimates underscore that the Senate impeachment court has not announced a fixed date for its verdict in the case.

The trial entered its 33rd day on October 5, with the court continuing proceedings under Article II involving allegations of unexplained wealth, false asset declarations and continued business interests against the Vice President. Duterte has denied wrongdoing and is contesting the impeachment allegations.

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