LIST: Sara Duterte’s defense team in her impeachment trial

Philippine Daily InquirerIndependentCenterFactual 95Objective 8511 days ago

The House prosecution panel in Vice President Sara Duterte's impeachment trial is requesting the Senate Impeachment Court to allow them flexibility in presenting evidence throughout the proceedings. According to Manila Representative Joel Chua, a member of the prosecution team, the goal is to ensure the public fully understands the gravity of the allegations against Duterte. The trial, scheduled to begin on July 6, involves charges such as mishandling secret funds, accumulating unexplained wealth, threatening President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and his family, and pressuring officials to bypass procurement regulations. Evidence includes reports from anti-money laundering agencies, financial discrepancy documents, video recordings, and alleged communications.

Bias read (Center): The article presents the situation neutrally, focusing on the legal process and the arguments made by the prosecution without overtly favoring either side. It provides background on the charges and the evidence being considered, without using biased language or omitting relevant perspectives.

Why these scores (Factual 95 · Objective 85): Accurately summarizes the prosecution's plan to call witnesses. Neutral tone with factual reporting on the witness list and allegations.

RapplerIndependentCenterFactual 90Objective 856 days ago

Vice President Sara Duterte is set to face a Senate impeachment trial following her second impeachment by the House of Representatives in May 2025. She previously avoided the trial in 2025 after the Supreme Court ruled the complaint unconstitutional, but the current proceedings are moving forward after the court denied her request for a temporary restraining order. The charges include alleged threats against President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and his family, misuse of confidential funds, and unexplained wealth. Duterte's legal team consists primarily of lawyers from the Fortun, Narvasa, and Salazar (FNS) law firm, with Sheila Sison leading the defense. Key members of the team include Philip Sigfrid Fortun, a founding partner of FNS known for handling high-profile cases such as the Ampatuan massacre and representing Mighty Corporation, and Gregorio Narvasa II, another founding partner and son of former Chief Justice Andres Narvasa.

Bias read (Center): The article provides a factual overview of the impeachment process and the composition of Sara Duterte's legal team without overtly favoring any side. It includes background information on the legal professionals involved and their past cases, presenting the information neutrally.

Why these scores (Factual 90 · Objective 85): Reports on the defense's objections and their rationale, aligning with the primary source. Maintains a neutral stance throughout.

Philippine Daily InquirerIndependentCenterFactual 90Objective 8516 days ago

The pretrial proceedings for Vice President Sara Duterte's impeachment case are ongoing, with the prosecution seeking additional days to complete the marking of evidence. Senate Secretary Renato Bantug stated that no formal request for an extension has been received yet but indicated that holding a pretrial on Friday, if needed, would be acceptable. The pretrial, which started on June 18, was originally set to end on Thursday but may take longer due to the large amount of documentary evidence to review. So far, only two of the four impeachment articles—alleged misuse of confidential funds and accumulation of unexplained wealth—have been addressed, with the remaining articles covering bribery allegations and a claim that Duterte publicly mentioned hiring a hitman.

Bias read (Center): The article provides a balanced account of the situation, quoting both the prosecution's request for more time and the response from the Senate secretary. It does not exhibit overtly biased language, one-sided sourcing, or omissions that would indicate a clear ideological slant. The focus is on the

Why these scores (Factual 90 · Objective 85): Accurately reports on Bantug's statement and the status of pre-trial extensions. Neutral tone with minimal editorializing, maintaining objectivity.

Philippine Daily InquirerIndependentCenterFactual 85Objective 8010 days ago

The Senate impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte has been scheduled for 92 trial days, with the prosecution and defense agreeing to share 17 witnesses. The pretrial order, signed by Senate President Sherwin Gatchalian, allocates 62 days to the prosecution and 30 days to the defense. The trial will begin on July 6 and continue until its conclusion, with sessions held on specific weekdays. The charges against Duterte include misuse of confidential funds, accumulation of unexplained wealth, allegations of bribery and corruption, and claims of orchestrating an assassination plot against high-profile figures.

Bias read (Center): The article provides a factual account of the scheduling and procedural aspects of the impeachment trial without overtly favoring either side. It presents the agreed-upon trial days, witness sharing, and the breakdown of charges without apparent bias or loaded language. The content remains neutral,

Why these scores (Factual 85 · Objective 80): Focuses on unrelated plunder case, less aligned with primary source. Slightly biased tone in emphasis on Marcoleta's case.

Philippine Daily InquirerIndependentCenterFactual 75Objective 7010 days ago

The Senate Impeachment Court has sent the pretrial order electronically to both the prosecution and defense teams in the impeachment case against Vice President Sara Duterte. The order was released to the defense at 5:23 p.m. and to the prosecution at 5:24 p.m. on Monday, June 22, 2026. This follows a five-day pretrial conference where evidence and witnesses were identified. The pretrial order includes the timeline of the trial, the number of trial days, and the sequence of addressing the articles of impeachment. Both parties will submit replies within three days, which may lead to revisions of the order. Duterte faces four articles of impeachment related to alleged misuse of funds, accumulation of unexplained wealth, bribery, and a claim of hiring a hitman.

Bias read (Center): The article provides a factual account of procedural developments in the impeachment process without overtly favoring either side. It reports on the actions of the impeachment court and the timeline of the proceedings without using biased language or selectively presenting information.

Why these scores (Factual 75 · Objective 70): Reports on pretrial procedures accurately. Provides specific timings and details about the pretrial order. Slightly favoring prosecution by emphasizing the importance of the evidence.