MANILA, Philippines — The impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte enters Day 19 on Wednesday, August 26, with a key Office of the Vice President official set to return to the witness stand as senators continue examining allegations involving the use of confidential funds.
The Senate impeachment court is scheduled to resume the testimony of Lemuel Ortonio, OVP assistant secretary and assistant chief of staff, who was declared a hostile witness during the previous day’s proceedings.
Ortonio is expected to face cross-examination from Duterte’s defense team, followed by redirect and recross examinations from both sides. Senator-judges will also have opportunities to question the witness during each round.
Why Ortonio’s testimony matters
Ortonio’s testimony is part of the prosecution’s presentation for Article I of the impeachment case, which centers on allegations involving the alleged misuse, misappropriation and irregular liquidation of confidential funds.
According to GMA News, Ortonio testified that the Office of the Vice President requested ₱250 million in confidential funds in August 2022, with the corresponding spending plan submitted almost a month later.
He also testified that Duterte was knowledgeable about the confidential activities of her office and how these activities were implemented.
The prosecution’s broader allegation involves ₱500 million in confidential funds released to the OVP and ₱112.5 million allocated to the Department of Education during Duterte’s tenure as Education secretary. These are allegations being litigated before the Senate impeachment court and have not been finally adjudicated.
Hostile witness declaration adds another layer
Ortonio was declared a hostile witness after confirming that he could lose his position if Duterte were removed from office because his appointment at the OVP is coterminous.
A hostile-witness declaration allows the party calling the witness to use leading questions, subject to the court’s rules and limitations.
His return to the stand therefore becomes one of the closely watched portions of Day 19, particularly as the defense begins testing the prosecution’s evidence and the witness’s previous statements.
The testimony follows another controversial witness
Ortonio’s testimony follows that of former OVP special disbursing officer Gina Acosta, who was also declared a hostile witness.
During earlier proceedings, Acosta testified about the handling of confidential funds and said Duterte instructed her to release ₱125 million to OVP security officer Col. Raymund Dante Lachica.
The prosecution also presented acknowledgment receipts and questioned Acosta about the movement and distribution of confidential funds. The defense challenged portions of the prosecution’s presentation, including the use of AI-generated images intended to illustrate what ₱125 million in cash could look like.
Importantly, testimony presented during an impeachment trial is evidence for the senator-judges to evaluate; it does not by itself establish criminal or constitutional liability.
More witnesses could follow
The prosecution has indicated that several Armed Forces of the Philippines officials could also testify in connection with the confidential-funds allegations.
Three AFP officers — Col. Manaros Boransing II, Col. Magtangol Panopio and Col. Adonis Bajao — were among those the prosecution sought to subpoena for the proceedings.
The prosecution had also said it could reduce its original witness list to accelerate the proceedings, particularly when testimony is considered corroborative rather than essential.
Trial schedule becomes another major issue
The impeachment proceedings have faced several delays, including cancellations brought by heavy rains and southwest monsoon conditions.
The House prosecution panel has backed moving hearings to the afternoon, potentially beginning around 3 p.m., so senators can attend to legislative work earlier in the day. Prosecutors have also floated using Fridays for impeachment hearings to recover lost time.
The prosecution has said it hopes to complete its presentation of evidence by the end of September, giving the defense time to present its own evidence afterward.
The Senate has also been balancing the impeachment proceedings with its legislative calendar.
What happens next?
For Day 19, the immediate focus is straightforward: Ortonio returns to the witness stand, and the defense gets its opportunity to challenge his testimony.
But the bigger question is what the Senate impeachment court will hear after him.
With more witnesses potentially waiting in the wings and the prosecution trying to accelerate its presentation, the coming hearings could determine how quickly the trial moves from the confidential-funds allegations to the other articles of impeachment.
The prosecution still has to prove its allegations before the Senate impeachment court, while Duterte’s defense retains the right to challenge witnesses and evidence and present its own case.
The Supreme Court’s earlier dismissal of petitions questioning the House impeachment proceedings also did not determine whether Duterte is guilty or innocent. The Court said the issues raised had become moot because the Articles of Impeachment had already been transmitted to the Senate and the impeachment trial had begun.
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