Metro Manila, Philippines – The prosecution and defense panels will have at least 17 common witnesses in the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte, including self-confessed bagman Ramil Madriaga, former Senator Antonio “Sonny” Trillanes IV, and Ombudsman Jesus Crispin Remulla.
The list is contained in the pre-trial order released to the parties on Monday, June 29, following five days of pre-trial proceedings last week.
NewsWatch Plus obtained copies of the 14-page order from two highly placed sources.
The order was signed by Senate President Win Gatchalian as presiding officer of the impeachment court.
The prosecution still lists 57 witnesses, while the defense has 96.
The witnesses common to both parties are:
- Self-confessed bagman Ramil Madriaga
- House legislative archives director Marivic Pareja
- National Bureau of Investigation Director Melvin Matibag
- Carolyn Moldez-Pitoy (NBI)
- Marizza Grande (Philippine Statistics Authority)
- Gloria Camora (Commission on Audit)
- Former Budget Secretary Amenah Pangandaman
- Ombudsman Jesus Crispin Remulla
- Anti-Money Laundering Council Executive Director Ronel Buenaventura
- Former Senator Antonio “Sonny” Trillanes IV
- Securities and Exchange Commission Director Gerardo del Rosario
- Former Education Undersecretary Gloria Jumamil-Mercado
- John Mark Calilung (NBI)
- Jeremy Lotoc (NBI)
- Representative/s from COA,
- Representative/s from Land Transportation Office
- Representatives/s from Civil Service Commission
“The examination of witnesses shall be conducted in open court, unless otherwise ordered by the Impeachment Court,” the pre-trial order read.
“The testimony of the witness shall be completed on the scheduled date of hearing allotted to said witness under the One-Day Examination of Witness Rule. The Court however has the discretion to extend the direct and/or cross-examination of witnesses for good cause shown,” it also stated.
Controversial witnesses
The pre-trial order also identifies the witnesses of each side, with the prosecution listing several high-profile and controversial personalities.
Among them is “Mary Grace Piattos,” the supposed beneficiary of Duterte’s confidential funds. She was listed to take the witness stand for the article on alleged fund misuse.
Manila 3rd District Rep. Joel Chua, the House prosecutor assigned to present evidence on that article, earlier said the prosecution included Piattos in its witness list to determine whether the person actually exists. The Philippine Statistics Authority has maintained that no civil registry records exist under the name “Mary Grace Piattos.”
Also in the prosecution’s witness list is Duterte defense lawyer, Michael Poa, who served as education undersecretary during Duterte’s tenure as secretary of the Department of Education.
For the impeachment article on alleged grave threats, the prosecution listed Abe Andres, the court sheriff whom Duterte punched during the demolition of an informal settlement in 2011, when she was mayor of Davao City.
Meanwhile, the defense wants former Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin, or any authorized official from the Office of the Executive Secretary, among its intended witnesses.
The court order stated that the prosecution reserved the right to present additional or substitute witnesses depending on the circumstance.
The defense, on the other hand, “reserved the right to present additional controverting evidence and to disclose the identities and other details of respondent’s other witnesses for security and safety reasons at the appropriate time.”
The order also noted that the prosecution agreed to disclose the identities of its intended witnesses at least three calendar days before their scheduled testimony. The defense, on the other hand, proposed a five-day disclosure period, citing the respondent’s right to due process.
“It likewise requests that prosecution be directed to disclose by July 3, 2025, the names of its witnesses to be presented during the trial on July 6, 2026,” the order read.
July 6 start date
Meanwhile, the prosecution and defense panels have agreed on the following schedule for the trial, which begins next Monday, July 6:
July 6 to 27: Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, 2:00 pm
July 28 onwards: Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays, 3:00 pm
The prosecution proposed 62 trial days, the defense 30 days.
Under the prosecution’s proposed schedule, the largest share of trial days — 31 — is allotted to the charge involving Duterte’s alleged misuse and misappropriation of confidential funds. Here’s the breakdown:
- Article IV: Assassination Plot, Grave Threats, and Inciting Sedition Against the Government – 11 trial days
- Article I: Misuse and Misappropriation of Confidential Funds – 31 trial days
- Article III: Bribery and Corruption within the Department of Education – 8 trial days
- Article II: Unexplained Wealth, False SALNs, and Continued Business Interests – 12 trial days
Meanwhile, the court approved the use of both Filipino and English languages, an initiative pushed by the prosecution to make the proceedings easier to understand for the public.
The parties have been given three days to submit their comments on the pre-trial order for possible corrections or revisions.
