Senator-judges Bong Go, Joel Villanueva, and JV Ejercito hope to hear the side of the defense following the withdrawal of three articles of impeachment against Vice President Sara Duterte.

Senator-judge Bong Go believes that it is better to allow both sides to present their evidence and witnesses on the articles presented before the impeachment court.

“Gusto nating makakita ng pantay at patas na laban. Masarap po sa bawat laban, dapat makita niyo na pantay-pantay po,” he said

Although he knows that it’s the discretion of the prosecution to withdraw articles, he believes that it’s still better to witness fairness in trial.

“Karapatan po ng prosecution ’yan. Karapatan po ng korte to decide, pero tandaan niyo, sinabi ko kanina, diba? As one of the Senator-judges, gusto natin makakita ng pantay o patas na laban. So ibig sabihin, kung nakasuntok na yung kabila, bigyan mo naman ng pagkakataon na lumaban naman yung kabila nang patas,” he said

Senator-judge Joel Villanueva believes that the Vice President has a right to be given a chance to have her answer heard on the allegations the prosecution has laid out in previous proceedings. He added that it seems like it doesn’t feel right for him to suddenly drop Articles 1, 3, and 4. Nevertheless, the Vice President’s camp should have anticipated this.

“I don't want to use the word unfair, but I, as Senator-judge, I would say na parang it's off for me,” he said

The Senator still respects the decision of the prosecution as he recognizes the prosecution’s discretion.

“Please don't get me wrong, you cannot blame the prosecution because that is their strategy. I respect that,” Sen. Villanueva said

For Senator-judge JV Ejercito, as the chairperson of the Senate Committee on Finance, he expressed regret over the three months of trial that could have been used to finish deliberations on the 2027 National Budget.

The impeachment trial will resume on November 9, 2026. For now, the prosecution has been given 10 days, or until October 23, to submit its formal offer of evidence for the remaining Article 2 of impeachment.