THE Senate Impeachment Court is on track to reach a verdict in the trial of Vice President Sara Duterte by December 16, confirmed court spokesperson Atty. Reginald “Regie” Tongol on Friday.
The timeline was clarified following adjustments to the hearing schedule, as the Senate balances the impeachment proceedings with its regular legislative workload. The most recent rescheduling came after the defense requested to defer the testimony of the Anti‑Money Laundering Council (AMLC) witness to Monday, October 5, prompting a pause in all hearings until then. “Aabot po tayo ng around mga December 16,” Tongol stated, confirming that this target date applies to the final verdict.
The House prosecution panel could complete its presentation of evidence within the next two weeks if it adheres to the current schedule and does not introduce additional witnesses. Tongol explained that full‑day trial sessions are counted as two separate proceedings, which allows the process to move forward more quickly than it might under standard daily meeting formats. Barring unforeseen delays or new evidence being admitted, the prosecution is projected to finish presenting its case by late next week.
Once the prosecution rests, the proceedings will move to the formal offer of exhibits — a phase where the panel submits all documentary evidence for the court’s consideration and the defense is given the opportunity to comment on each item. Following this stage, the defense will have 30 days to submit its response and final arguments addressing the evidence presented. This period is the primary factor shaping the December 16 target for the court’s decision.
The timeline underscores the steady pace of the trial despite periodic rescheduling and procedural adjustments. As the process advances toward closing arguments and the eventual vote by the senator‑judges, the court continues to manage the delicate balance between thoroughness and expediency. Further updates on the schedule and any changes to the December 16 target are expected as the trial progresses.
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