COA auditor subpoenaed anew, appears in impeachment court

Senate impeachment court presiding officer Francis "Chiz" Escudero on Tuesday directed the issuance of a fresh subpoena for the House prosecution panel's next witness, ensuring her appearance in the ongoing impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte.

During the 12th day of proceedings, Escudero pointed out that the earlier subpoena served on Commission on Audit-Intelligence and Confidential Funds Audit Office (COA-ICFAO) state auditor Xylene Del Campo had expired, having been effective only from August 3 to 4.

To secure her testimony, Escudero instructed the Senate Clerk of Court and the Sergeant-at-Arms to issue and serve a new subpoena covering the period from August 5 to 11, 2026.

Del Campo took the witness stand on Wednesday after the impeachment court formally excused former COA-ICFAO state auditor Roderick Wamil.

Escudero also said the issuance of a subpoena for House of Representatives Legislative Information Resources Management Department Director Marivic Pareja remains pending and will hinge on the court's ruling on the prosecution's motion for judicial notice.

According to Escudero, he will resolve the motion after allowing the defense to comment either orally or through a written manifestation during Wednesday's hearing.

The testimonies are part of the prosecution's presentation of evidence on Article I of the Articles of Impeachment, which accuses Duterte of culpable violation of the Constitution, graft and corruption, and betrayal of public trust over the alleged misuse of P612.5 million in confidential funds.

Prosecutors allege that P500 million of the amount was allocated to the Office of the Vice President, while P112.5 million was released to the Department of Education during Duterte's stint as education secretary.