Allegations that the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Z. Duterte is being deliberately accelerated ahead of US President Donald Trump’s visit to the Philippines are unfounded.
This was stressed by House impeachment adviser and trial spokesperson Robert Ace Barbers as he pointed out that the trial schedule was established before the proceedings began.
Barbers rejected suggestions that the government had intervened to speed up the Senate impeachment proceedings for political or diplomatic reasons, stressing that the trial calendar was determined through established court procedures.
“Walang katotohanan ‘yan, dahil ang scheduling ng ating paglilitis diyan sa ating impeachment court ay nakabase doon sa naaprubahang trial order mula sa ating clerk of court,” Barbers said.
The former Surigao del Norte congressman issued the clarification during an interview Wednesday amid speculation that the impeachment proceedings were being hastened because of Trump’s expected arrival in Manila for the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Summit in November.
Malacañang confirmed on October 14 that Trump would attend the regional gathering, while the Senate impeachment court had already announced its revised November trial calendar on October 13, with hearings scheduled to resume on November 9.
“Kung natatandaan natin, bago magsimula itong impeachment trial ay nagkaroon muna ng pretrial conference ang dalawang panig kasama ang clerk of court,” Barbers explained.
The impeachment court had previously adjusted its hearing calendar to accommodate the Senate’s legislative work and deliberations on the proposed 2027 national budget, including the scheduling of full-day hearings and a recess between October and November.
Barbers explained that both sides participated in the pretrial proceedings, during which they identified the issues to be litigated, the witnesses they intended to present, and the documentary evidence that would be submitted before the senator-judges.
“Ang prosecution at ang defense panel ay nag-usap at nagpakitaan ng kanilang mga issues na dapat talakayin sa korte, ebidensyang ihaharap, pangalan ng mga testigo at documentary evidence na ilalatag ng bawat panig sa harap ng ating impeachment court,” Barbers pointed out.
The Senate impeachment court accepted the prosecution’s withdrawal of three articles on October 13, leaving only Article II involving allegations of unexplained wealth, undisclosed assets, and prohibited business interests against Duterte.
“So walang katotohanan na sinasabi nilang minamadali itong trial na ito,” Barbers emphasized.
Barbers also dismissed suggestions that the impeachment proceedings were being used to influence the 2028 presidential election, maintaining that the accusations overlook impeachment’s constitutional role in holding senior public officials accountable.
“Sa aking palagay, ‘yun naman ang magiging kuwento o naratibo ng mga tao na ayaw pumayag sa accountability,” Barbers maintained.
“Ito po’y walang pulitika. Bahala na po anong isipin ng iba diyan, alam kong hindi naman tatanggapin ‘yung anumang dahilan because iba ang kanilang naratibo na gustong ipalaganap o ipakalat,” Barbers also added.