Joselito Malig

Article (news)

ABS-CBN News

MANILA — The House prosecution will push through with Vice President Sara Duterte’s impeachment trial regardless of reports of a supposed political trade-off involving her resignation and ability to run in the 2028 elections.In a statement, House prosecution panel adviser and spokesperson and former Surigao del Norte Rep. Robert “Ace” Barbers clarified that any purported political negotiations are outside the prosecution’s mandate, and its role is to seek truth and accountability.“Well, as far as the prosecution panel is concerned, nandito tayo sa proseso ng pagpapalabas ng katotohanan and accountability,” Barbers said.He was responding to questions about unverified reports that Duterte privately reached out to President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and was supposedly prepared to resign in exchange for being allowed to run for president in 2028.For Barbers, whatever arrangements there are between Duterte and Marcos are beyond their mandate as House prosecutors.“So kung mayroong mang usapin tungkol dyan sa mga trade-offs, yan po ay wala sa prosecution panel because ang task ay ipagpatuloy itong paglilitis, ipresenta ang mga ebidensya at siguruhin na naiintindihan ng ating mamamayan kung ano-ano itong mga ebidensyang ito,” he said.He also explained that the prosecution’s authority comes from the constitutional accountability process, and not from any political arrangement outside the Senate impeachment court.“Sinusunod natin ang utos ng ating Saligang Batas na magkaroon ng isang accountability mechanism for certain higher officials of government na magkaroon ng pananagutan kung sila ay mayroong ginawang paglabag sa mga batas,” Barbers said.House prosecutor and San Juan City Rep. Ysabel Maria “Bel” Zamora also cautioned against treating reports circulating online as established fact.“Well, actually I saw that in several Facebook posts, but of course we have no confirmation about that and with so many trolls now we don’t know what is true so hintayin na lang po natin kung totoo nga po yun,” Zamora said.Barbers likewise stressed that neither he nor the prosecution panel had knowledge of any private discussion between Duterte and Marcos.“Talks about secret or private meetings that we were not aware of, and I don’t think both parties that allegedly met, I don’t know if that would be a possible scenario, at least in my own personal opinion,” Barbers said.Marcos earlier said he had not yet decided whom to support in 2028, but said he will endorse someone who will continue his anti-corruption campaign.<div><a class="fr-strong" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/8/14/marcos-on-halalan-2028-i-will-endorse-someone-who-will-continue-anti-corruption-measures-1439">Marcos on Halalan 2028: ‘I will endorse someone who will continue anti-corruption measures’</a></div>In February, Duterte announced that she intends to run for president in 2028. However, should she be convicted by the impeachment court, she would be removed and disqualified for public office.<div><a class="fr-strong" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/2/21/sara-duterte-says-she-has-recruited-her-running-mate-for-2028-elections-2058">Sara Duterte says she has ‘recruited’ her running mate for 2028 elections</a></div>

The House prosecution will push through with Vice President Sara Duterte’s impeachment trial regardless of reports of a supposed political trade-off involving her resignation and ability to run in the 2028 elections.

The House prosecution will push through with Vice President Sara Duterte’s impeachment trial regardless of reports of a supposed political trade-off involving her resignation and ability to run in the 2028 elections.

House prosecution shrugs off alleged political ‘trade-off’ in Sara Duterte impeachment trial

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House prosecution shrugs off alleged political ‘trade-off’ in Sara Duterte impeachment trial

ABS-CBN News

Published August 17, 2026 10:07 PM PHT

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House of Representatives

Senate

impeachment trial

Sara Duterte

Ferdinand Marcos Jr.

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