politics
Duterte Defense Submits Answer and Lists Over 90 Witnesses for Impeachment Trial
Vice President Sara Duterte's legal team submitted a witness list exceeding 90 names on June 1, 2026. Dozens of those named are associated with the prosecution.
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Vice President Sara Duterte's legal team submitted physical documents and a USB drive containing her formal answer to the articles of impeachment on June 1, 2026. The filing went to Senate Secretary and Impeachment Court Clerk of Court Jose Luis Montales. The defense listed more than 90 identified and unnamed witnesses.
Dozens of the names belong to individuals associated with the prosecution, including Duterte’s self-confessed bagman Ramil Madriaga, former senator Antonio Trillanes IV, Ombudsman Boying Remulla, and National Bureau of Investigation chief Melvin Matibag.
” The prosecution has asked whether the listed individuals will be treated as hostile witnesses. Rappler reported that the full list may be shortened through agreements reached during pre-trial proceedings.
Ramil Madriaga signed an affidavit dated November 29, 2025, and a supplemental affidavit dated April 11, 2026. Antonio Trillanes IV signed an affidavit dated April 21, 2026. The defense list also names multiple current and former officials from the NBI, Commission on Audit, Department of Education, Office of the Vice President, and other agencies, along with at least five expert witnesses and three forensic accountants.
