Senator-judges keen on making evidence in VP Duterte's trial public

Senator-judge Bam Aquino urges the impeachment court to ensure that evidence presented during the trial of Vice President Sara Duterte is made available to the public in real time.

During the impeachment trial on Monday, July 6, 2026, Aquino likewise welcomed the impeachment court’s decision to make the evidence publicly accessible but asked how soon the clerk of court would upload the documents.

“[If) this is made available to the public six months from now or one year from now, that defeats the purpose of having this made public,” Aquino pointed out.

Responding to Aquino’s query, Impeachment Court Presiding Officer Francis “Chiz” Escudero explained that the uploading of documentary evidence had already begun despite the volume of records, and committed to making the presented evidence available as soon as possible.

Escudero also assured Aquino that the clerk of court would endeavor to upload all presented evidence in real time, except for the journal, which he said requires the body’s approval before publication.

Executive session

Meanwhile, Senator-judge Risa Hontiveros explained why the Senate acting as an impeachment court should not have executive sessions.

In her manifestation, she pushed for transparency in the presentation of evidence during the impeachment proceedings.

"I join with the presiding officer in the call that he made which, I believe, is the default also of the impeachment trial court for transparency. The executive session is only for Congress acting in its usual legislative functions and impeachment trials do not contemplate executive sessions," she said.

Escudero had earlier said that anything discussed in an executive session cannot be used by the impeachment court.

Senator-judge Erwin Tulfo also sought clarification on whether evidence related to the Anti Money Laundering Council (AMLC) in the impeachment trial should be discussed publicly or in close doors in an executive session.

During the proceedings on Monday, July 6, 2026, Tulfo cited concerns over bank secrecy rules and the scope of impeachment court authority.

"I need a clarification with regard to AMLC documents or pieces of evidence that will be submitted here. Will it be okay if we tackle this in public or shall we tackle evidence from the AMLC during an executive session? I believe this is under bank secrecy law or we can tackle it because this is an impeachment court?" Tulfo asked.

In response, Escudero said the court must first rule on issuing a subpoena before any records are presented.

He added that the issue cannot be handled in executive session, noting that any discussion held in such a setting would be restricted from public disclosure and could not be used by the court unless there is unanimous consent among senator-judges.

Escudero further explained that the court will decide, after hearing arguments from both parties, whether the AMLC records may be obtained and whether they may be part of the public proceedings.

-Paraluman News