With the withdrawal of the three articles of impeachment being the biggest news to come out of the trial before it went on a break.
On Monday, October 12, the Impeachment Trial of Vice President Sara Duterte resumed, with its 38th day centering on the cross-examination of forensic financial analyst Atty. Alex Cabrera by the Defense counsel, Atty. Kristine Ferrer.
Ferrer first checked on Cabrera’s background, who admitted he has not handled a complaint for graft and corruption before the Office of Ombudsman or judicial court; he has not handled a case on malversation or misuse of public funds, and; has not been an expert witness before any court.
The Defense also asked him about him receiving copies of the documents from the likes of the Anti-Money Laundering Council (AMLC) and financial information of corporations.
After nearly three hours of cross-examination, the senator-judges took their time to conduct their interjection.
He was again asked about the companies such as GenCorp and CALE88, which his team both flagged for having substantial transactions.
Cabrera also told that they made use of a software to compute the unexplained wealth of the Vice President, which he said has reached PHP817 million—still a conservative estimate, he later divulged.
The witness also said that VP Duterte and her husband, Atty. Manasas Carpio, have a total of 37 personal bank accounts. Cabrera said that this is unusual, even for rich people.
On the same day, the Prosecution also dropped the Article 3 or the alleged bribery, making Article 2 or unexplained wealth the final article to be presented.
The following trial day, October 13 (Tuesday), was dedicated to administrative matters.
But just minutes into session, Rep. Jinky Luistro announced that the prosecution will no longer pursue three articles: the aforementioned Article 3, Article 4 (alleged grave threats), and Article 1 (alleged misuse of confidential funds).
The lead Defense counsel, Atty. Sheila Sison, later aired their side. While they respect the decision of the prosecution, she noted that it is “unfair” for the Vice President to not answer any of the allegations thrown at her within those articles.
Presiding Officer Senator Francis Escudero, meanwhile, said that once an Article is filed, it is subject to and under the disposition of the court and not of the parties in this case.
After a recess, Luistro said that the prosecution took careful consideration of what is best for the court and the other party. She also added that they do not intend to be unfair to the Duterte side, and reiterated that the Defense was able to participate through cross- and recross-examinations.
Sison responded by calling the move “unacceptable.”
Escudero would later accept the withdrawal and noted that Articles 1 and 4, which were tackled earlier in the proceedings, may no longer be refiled as a subject of impeachment in the 20th Congress as he declared it “withdrawn with prejudice.” Meanwhile, Article 3 was deemed “withdrawn without prejudice.”
In the same ruling, Escudero said that the subjudice rule no longer covers the withdrawn articles.
Luistro later said that the prosecution agreed to the alternate presentation of Articles of Impeachment, but the defense did not agree and pursued to present after the prosecution is through with theirs.
The court is adjourned until November 9, 2026 (Monday), with the Senate focusing on the time being on the 2027 National Budget hearings.
