LIVE UPDATES: Sara Duterte impeachment trial

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MANILA, Philippines – Commission on Audit Intelligence and Confidential Funds Audit Office (COA-ICFAO) state auditor Xylene del Campo returns to the witness stand Wednesday for the 15th day of Vice President Sara Duterte’s impeachment trial, where she is set to face cross-examination by the defense over the alleged misuse of confidential funds.

Del Campo previously testified on COA’s findings on the Office of the Vice President and Department of Education’s confidential fund transactions in 2023, including alleged violations, unsupported expenses and disbursements made before cash advances were issued.

READ: PLAYLIST: Sara Duterte impeachment trial (full proceedings)

Key developments:

COA auditor del Campo testified that tree planting, wheelchair distribution, and Christmas parties appeared in OVP liquidation reports as confidential fund expenses, all of which are not allowable under the governing joint circular.
Prosecution counsel Kapunan accused the defense of ignoring court orders to compare 4,492 acknowledgment receipts, while Presiding Officer Escudero told the defense it must submit its pre-marked evidence so the court could undertake the comparison itself.
Private prosecutor Tolosa warned that defense tactics were causing delays and that Duterte’s public statements against the prosecution could violate the sub judice rule.
Acknowledgment receipts presented on Day 14 listed payees with food-related aliases such as ‘Pampano,’ ‘Keso,’ and ‘Kamote,’ as well as names similar to those of current and former senators.
The DOJ confirmed it filed three grave threats counts against Duterte in Quezon City, though her counsel said the cases would ultimately be dismissed.
Redirect and recross possible: After the defense cross-examination, Del Campo may undergo redirect examination by the prosecution and recross-examination by the defense. /dp

August 12 , 2026 11:25 AM

Sen. Erwin Tulfo leads the opening prayer on Day 15 of Vice President Sara Duterte’s impeachment trial, asking that the verdict not be swayed by public opinion or popularity.“Nawa’y hindi siya mahatulan dahil lamang sa ingay ng mga opinyon at hindi rin siya mapawalang-sala… pic.twitter.com/Ht926MdjUu
— Inquirer (@inquirerdotnet) August 12, 2026

August 12 , 2026 11:18 AM

‘WE ARE NOT TALKING ABOUT INTELLIGENCE FUNDS’Atty. Kristine Ferrer and Atty. Lorna Kapunan clashed over a line of questioning on intelligence work, with Kapunan objecting that the hearing was focused on confidential funds, not intelligence funds. #VPonTrialFollow our live… pic.twitter.com/56Qt64eUMH
— Inquirer (@inquirerdotnet) August 12, 2026

August 12 , 2026 11:18 AM

"I am preventing myself from giving her a spanking." Moment of levity as Presiding Officer Francis Escudero reminds counsels "not allow the seeming generational divide increase the tension in the courtroom," as prosecution counsel Lorna Kapunan objects to defense's questions.… pic.twitter.com/q3WneqQFBz
— Inquirer (@inquirerdotnet) August 12, 2026

August 12 , 2026 11:04 AM

“Part ba ’yan ng surveillance o normal na admin work ng OVP?”Defense counsel Kristine Ferrer asks COA auditor Xylene Del Campo to read activities listed in OVP’s Protective Intelligence Operations Report, which was submitted in response to the Audit Observation Memorandum… pic.twitter.com/o1Pm0F24yf
— Inquirer (@inquirerdotnet) August 12, 2026

August 12 , 2026 10:53 AM

"The counsel cannot dictate how I will proceed with my cross examination."Tension briefly rose as prosecution counsel Lorna Kapunan objected to defense counsel Kristine Ferrer’s use of the defense’s copy of documents during cross-examination.Kapunan said Ferrer should use the… pic.twitter.com/dltEH4zqZI
— Inquirer (@inquirerdotnet) August 12, 2026

August 12 , 2026 10:15 AM

DAY 15: The impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte resumes on Wednesday, August 12.A quorum has been declared, with 18 senator-judges present. #VPonTrial | @AprBenjaminINQ Follow our live updates here: https://t.co/NMaqw86S2BWatch our live stream here:… pic.twitter.com/8yaubapzz4
— Inquirer (@inquirerdotnet) August 12, 2026

August 12 , 2026 10:05 AM

‘PAPALIIT ‘YUNG MUNDO NG PANGALAWANG PANGULO.’ Rep. Terry Ridon reacts to the Department of Justice’s filing of three counts of grave threats against Vice President Sara Duterte before the Quezon City Regional Trial Court. #VPonTrial | @bellepechayINQ Follow our live updates… pic.twitter.com/5pJpAfGPhz
— Inquirer (@inquirerdotnet) August 12, 2026

WATCH: Sara Duterte impeachment trial | August 12, 2026

August 12 , 2026 – 09:50 AM

COA auditor Xylene Mae del Campo is back to the witness stand on Day 15 of the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte.

August 12 , 2026 09:41 AM

‘OF COURSE’ Lead Defense counsel Atty. Sheila Sison says they are ready for cross-examination this Wednesday as COA state auditor Xylene Del Campo takes the witness stand on the 15 day of Vice President Sara Duterte’s impeachment trial. #VPonTrial | @bellepechayINQ Follow… pic.twitter.com/LSdS2Pt9g8
— Inquirer (@inquirerdotnet) August 12, 2026

August 12 , 2026 07:40 AM

Many of Vice President Sara Duterte’s supporters may disagree with the testimonies given by state auditors during her impeachment trial, but a former official of the Commission on Audit (COA) appealed to Filipinos to remember that auditors are the people’s ally in ensuring… pic.twitter.com/XAZu6vdoh7
— Inquirer (@inquirerdotnet) August 11, 2026