VP SARA PRE-TRIAL CONFERENCE NEARS END AS EVIDENCE MARKING WRAPS UP

SENATE Secretary and Impeachment Court clerk Renato Bantug Jr. expresses confidence that the marking of all documentary evidence in the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte would be completed on Thursday evening, paving the way for the formal conclusion of the pre-trial conference.

During a press conference on Thursday, June 25, 2026, Bantug said the drafting and finalization of the pre-trial order would begin once the marking of evidence is completed.

“It looks like we’ll be able to complete the marking tonight. We’re very, very hopeful and optimistic that we’ll be able to complete the marking of all documentary evidence. Per agreement, both parties will be working on the exhibits until 7 pm. At this point, I am confident that we will be able to finish,” said Bantug.

Bantug, however, said he could not yet estimate when the pre-trial order would be released because drafting has not started. 

He assured that court staff would complete it as quickly as possible, even if it meant working through the weekend. 

The pre-trial conference, which began on June 18, 2026, has focused on identifying documentary exhibits and helping both the defense and prosecution narrow and organize the issues for trial. 

Vice President Duterte faces an impeachment trial in the Senate after she was impeached by the House of Representatives over grave allegations that include the misuse of public funds, the accumulation of unexplained wealth, and issuing threats against President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., First Lady Liza Araneta Marcos and former House Speaker Martin Romualdez.