Abbey M.

The House prosecution panel will no longer submit a comment on the pre-trial order of the Senate Impeachment Court.

According to Atty. Benjamin Tolosa Jr., legal spokesperson of the House prosecution and also a private prosecutor, this is to avoid any possibility of delay in the trial of Vice President Sara Duterte.

The pre-trial order contains the matters agreed upon by the prosecution and the defense following the pre-trial conference for the trial of Vice President Sara Duterte. This serves as the guide for the impeachment trial itself.

He said the prosecution decided not to submit a comment anymore to avoid any possibility that it could be used to delay the trial on July 6, 2026. He added that there are no significant issues that need to be corrected in the pre-trial order.

Bicol Saro Partylist Rep. Terry Ridon, a member of the House Prosecution Panel, shares the same view.

"Well, katulad po ng binabanggit ng mga ibang mga kasama po namin sa prosecution panel, tingin ko naman po wala na pong kailangang idagdag pa dito po sa mga komento sa pretrial order lalo't higit, very important po sa amin yung pong pagsisimula na po without further delay ito pong July 6, first trial date ng impeachment po ni Vice President Sara Duterte."

(Well, as mentioned by some of our colleagues in the prosecution panel, I also believe there is nothing more to add to the comments on the pre-trial order, especially since it is very important to us that we start without further delay this July 6, the first trial date of the impeachment of Vice President Sara Duterte.)

The congressman also confirmed that the House Prosecution Panel will comply in submitting the list of witnesses to be presented at the trial starting Monday, July 6, until July 8, 2026.

To be tackled in the first article of impeachment against the Vice President are grave threats and inciting to sedition.

"So lahat po ng witnesses relating to threats, isasalang po namin sa susunod pong linggo. Antayin na lang po natin yung mga pangalan as soon as it gets disclosed."

(So all the witnesses relating to threats, we will present next week. Let us just wait for the names as soon as it gets disclosed.)

At the July 6 impeachment trial, the lead defense counsel and lead prosecutor will each first deliver their own opening statement.

Likewise, the Impeachment Court is expected first to resolve the pending motions of the two camps.

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The impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte is set to begin on Monday, July 6, and the public will be able to watch every detail and argument of the proceedings live, the Senate said.

According to an advisory issued by Senate Secretary Atty. Renato Bantug Jr., the trial will be open to the public on all occasions. 

However, due to limited space, only 61 seats will be allotted per day for those who wish to watch the proceedings live.

The Senate will implement a first-come, first-served basis through the Senate Visitor Management System (VMS). 

Those interested in securing a seat must register at the official website, vms.senate.gov.ph or scan the Senate's official QR code.

Based on the advisory from the Senate Secretary, registrants only need to select their preferred date on the portal and click the "Impeachment Trial" option before providing the required information and documents.

Online registration will open at 2:00PM, one day before the scheduled trial date. 

Those approved will receive their own QR code, which will serve as their entry pass to the Senate Session Hall.

The Senate reminded the public that proper decorum, discipline, and existing rules within the building will be strictly enforced while the trial of the Vice President is ongoing.

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After the Quezon City Department of Public Order and Safety revoked the permit it had issued for a rally in EDSA today, July 2, the group of rallyists decided to move to Liwasang Bonifacio in Manila instead.

The group will no longer need to secure a permit to gather at the said location, as it is a government-designated freedom park.

As of now, the Manila City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Department, or MCDRRMD, has raised its forces to red alert status to ensure immediate response to any possible incident or emergency that may occur alongside the planned protest action.

In connection with this, Manila Mayor Isko Moreno Domagoso has suspended classes at all levels in schools across the city today, Thursday, July 2, to ensure order and safety for everyone in the city.

"Dinideklara na po ng pamahalaang lungsod at ng inyong lingkod na wala pong pasok ngayong July 2, 2026 sa lungsod ng Maynila. Magkayak kayo sa iba ninyong mga aralin para sa susunod na araw but for today, para na rin sa kaayusan ng lahat. So sa atin naman o sa mga kapatid sa Iglesia Ni Cristo, hangad namin ang kapayapaan ng lahat at malugod namin kayong tinatanggap dyan sa liwasang Bonifacio. Pinakikisuyo namin bilang pamahalaan, katulad ng mga bagay na ginawa nyo na dati kapag kayo naglulunsad ng…mga aktibidades na malakihan sa lungsod na mapanatili natin maayos at malinis ang lahat which I do believe that you will do. But it's just a gentle reminder to each and every one of us."

(The city government and I are declaring that there will be no classes today, July 2, 2026, in the city of Manila. Please make arrangements for your lessons on the following day, but for today, this is for the order of everyone. So for us, or for our brothers and sisters in Iglesia Ni Cristo, we wish for peace for everyone and we warmly welcome you there in Liwasang Bonifacio. We are requesting, as the city government, that just like the things you have done before whenever you hold... large-scale activities in the city, we maintain that everything stays orderly and clean, which I do believe that you will do. But it's just a gentle reminder to each and every one of us.)

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President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said he sees no problem with the protest held in White Plains along EDSA, noting that his only concern lies elsewhere. 

According to the President, the issue is not the protest itself, but the possible entry of other personalities or groups into the rally whose sole intention would be to cause trouble.

The Chief Executive explained that authorities have received information suggesting that certain individuals or groups may attempt to infiltrate the gathering in order to incite disorder. He emphasized that this is the primary concern being monitored, rather than the protest activity itself.

Marcos stressed that the most important consideration for the government is ensuring that no one gets hurt during the demonstration, regardless of which group may be involved, whether affiliated with Iglesia Ni Cristo (INC) or any other party that might attempt to cause disruption.

"Ang problema lang namin is that merong impormasyon na siyempre merong mga, mag-infiltrate, mag-agitate. Yun ang inaalala namin. Ang pinaka-importante sa amin, walang masaktan. Either taga-Iglesia o kung sino man na mapunta roon na mangulo."

(Our only concern is that there is information that of course there are those who will infiltrate, who will agitate. That is what we are worried about. The most important thing for us is that no one gets hurt. Whether from Iglesia or whoever ends up there to cause trouble.)

Meanwhile, the President also addressed and denied allegations that his administration practices selective justice, dismissing the claim directly.

"They have their opinion, I believe they're wrong."

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House Lead Prosecutor and Batangas 2nd District Rep. Gerville Luistro has asked the public to pray for the conviction of Vice President Sara Duterte.

This comes just days before the scheduled trial of the Vice President on July 6, 2026.

The House Prosecution Team is fully prepared for the July 6 impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte.

Four days before the trial, several public and private prosecutors attended an event led by House Lead Prosecutor and Batangas 2nd District Rep. Gerville Luistro.

At the event, she made an appeal to the public.

"Ang sabi po ng nanay ko, pag nagdadasal, dapat nililiwanag. Pag nagdadasal, dapat specific. Pag nagdadasal dapat nilalakasan. Join us as we pray for the conviction of the respondent in this impeachment trial."

(My mother used to say, when you pray, it should be made clear. When you pray, it should be specific. When you pray, it should be said with strength. Join us as we pray for the conviction of the respondent in this impeachment trial.)

Aside from this, she also requested that the Senator Judges, the defense team, and the entire nation be included in prayers.

Meanwhile, among the things Rep. Luistro expects to happen on Monday, July 6, are the opening statements of the Presiding Officer of the Senate Impeachment Court, as well as those of the lead prosecutor and lead defense counsel.

Also expected is the resolution of pending motions from both camps.

Private Prosecutor Atty. Lorna Kapunan confirmed that they have already submitted the list of witnesses they will present for July 6.

The first article of impeachment to be heard will be grave threats and inciting to sedition.

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