House prosecution requests subpoenas for three AFP officials for VP impeachment trial

The House prosecution panel on Monday (August 24, 2026) requested the impeachment court to issue subpoenas for three Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) officials to testify in the trial of Vice President Sara Duterte over the alleged misuse of Department of Education (DepEd) confidential funds.

Lead prosecutor Gerville Luistro asked the court to summon Col. Manaros Boransing II, Col. Magtanggol Panopio, and Col. Adonis Bajao to appear on Wednesday, Aug. 26, during the 17th day of the trial.

The request followed news that DepEd special disbursing officer Edward Fajarda—originally scheduled to take the stand—suffered a stroke and would be unable to testify until Sept. 7.

“Since tomorrow is only Tuesday and we would like to maximize the schedule that was given to us by the honorable impeachment court, may we likewise request for the issuance of subpoena to the three AFP officials,” Luistro said.

Defense lead counsel Sheila Sison objected to the short notice, arguing it violated established rules.

“This is inconsistent with the pre-trial order and the order issued at the start of the trial … that each party must be given five days before the intended dates for their presentation,” Sison said, noting the defense would only have one day to prepare.

“This goes into the ability of the respondent to prepare substantively for any cross-examination or presentation of the prosecution’s witnesses,” Sison added, questioning whether short-notice subpoenas would set a precedent for the remainder of the trial.

Presiding officer and Senate President Francis “Chiz” Escudero assured the defense that it would have ample time to prepare, clarifying that cross-examinations would likely not happen immediately.

“Most likely, the cross-examination of the counsel of the respondent for this new unannounced witness will be on Tuesday next week, giving you more than five days actually,” Escudero said.

Luistro reiterated that the prosecution sought the new witnesses solely because Fajarda was unavailable.

-Paraluman News