The defense team of Vice President Sara Duterte said it may still present the full two-hour, 26-minute video of her November 2024 online press briefing after only a short clip was shown during cross-examination in the impeachment trial.
Defense spokesperson Michael Poa said the team is also preparing for the testimony of Duterte’s chief of staff, Zuleika Lopez, whom the prosecution considers a key witness in the fourth Article of Impeachment.
The House prosecution argued that Lopez’s testimony would provide context to Duterte’s alleged threats against President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., First Lady Liza Marcos, and former House Speaker Martin Romualdez.
Meanwhile, House prosecutors Leila de Lima and Chel Diokno maintained that the motive behind Duterte’s remarks is immaterial, stressing that the central issue is her fitness to remain in public office.
The Senate impeachment court is also set to hear testimony from additional prosecution witnesses in the coming hearings.
Source: PhilNews24 | July 12, 2026
