DIOKNO REJECTS BID TO BAR PRE-2022 EVIDENCE, CITES SERENO CASE
House Prosecutor Chel Diokno pushed back against defense counsel Michael Poa's argument that allegations and evidence predating 2022 should be excluded from Vice President Sara Duterte's #impeachment trial because she was not yet an impeachable official at the time.
Diokno argued that questions of integrity and fitness for office may require examining acts that occurred before an official assumed an impeachable position. He pointed to the case of former Chief Justice Maria Sereno, where allegations from before her appointment as Chief Justice were raised in the quo warranto proceedings that led to her removal.
"The crux of a quo warranto case is the same as impeachment—removal from office and fitness for office," Diokno said, maintaining that pre-2022 acts and records may be relevant in determining whether a public official remains fit to serve.
Among the witnesses listed by the prosecution is former Ombudsman Melchor Carandang, who is expected to testify on allegations involving the Vice President's purported unexplained wealth and bank transactions involving her and former President Rodrigo Duterte.
@News5PH #VPSaraOnTrial
On TV Patrol: According to a March 2026 national survey, 1 in 2 Filipinos say they lack awareness of the allegations and evidence against VP Sara Duterte. In response, we’re forming the #BantaySenado network, a citizen-led initiative to monitor how Senate will lead the impeachment trial. Watch out for the public launch very soon— and we’ll be going to barangays, schools, and other community spaces around the country to inform and engage Filipinos to monitor the trial. More than 350 volunteers, mostly students and young professionals, have already signed up to power the network and we’re looking for more! If you’re keen to join our mission, sign up via https://t.co/eLfacRh5TT. Bantay Senado is open to all those who believe in constitutional duty, accountability, and truth. Sama-sama natin bantayan ang Senado at paglilitis ni VP Sara! 👁️
Sukdulan qng pagka walang hiya ninyo.
Para ituring itong isang laro ng kapangyarihan at kampihan.
Para isangtabi ang kabutihan at kaayusan ng kapwa at mamamayan.
Sukdulan ang pagka ganid ninyo. Sukdulan ang kasamaan.
Wala kayong pagmamahal sa bayan.
Lul! Hindi ka uurong!?! Congressman ka pero di mo kayang mag-attend ng impeachment hearing para ipaglaban ang kapatid mo. By the way, di mo ba idedeny ang mga milyones na nakuha mo kay Sammy Uy? Di ba nasa konseho ka nun? Masilip nga ang SALN mo.
@chanchi_evo1 hahahahaha now we matter to you, di ba kayo nagpanalo dyan? uniteam di ba? kung natiis namin si duterte, kailangan magtiiis at patuloy na punahin si bbm