LIVE UPDATES: Sara Duterte impeachment trial | Aug. 12, 2026

Vice President Sara Duterte’s lead counsel Sheila Sison defended her fellow counsel after a heated exchange in court that went viral on social media.

COA-ICFAO state auditor Xylene Del Campo concluded her testimony on Day 15 of Vice President Sara Duterte’s impeachment trial after a tense day marked by repeated clashes between the prosecution and defense.Here are the key developments from Day 15. #VPonTrialFollow our live… pic.twitter.com/qN8fGmnDPF

— Inquirer (@inquirerdotnet) August 12, 2026

The House prosecution wants VP Sara Duterte to personally explain why she allowed confidential funds to be transferred to a security officer

One proof that VP Duterte should not have received confidential funds (CF) is that she remains safe and able to do the same activities.

The COA-ICFAO may still launch a fraud probe into Vice President Sara Duterte’s use of confidential funds, state auditor Xylene del Campo said.

‘IT APPLIES TO ALL PARTIES’Lead prosecutor Gerville Luistro said that if the Senate impeachment court will be strict in enforcing the prohibition on commenting on the merits of the case, it must be applied uniformly to all parties involved, including the prosecution, defense,… pic.twitter.com/3umSblAGPR

— Inquirer (@inquirerdotnet) August 12, 2026

“This behavior is in bad taste.”Lead defense counsel Sheila Sison calls out prosecution counsel Amando Ligutan over a social media post referring to an exchange in the impeachment court. #VPonTrialFollow our live updates here: https://t.co/NMaqw86S2BWatch our live stream… pic.twitter.com/zO6M1tmGq0

— Inquirer (@inquirerdotnet) August 12, 2026

'PARA SA INYO 'TO' Lead House Prosecutor Gerville Luistro appealed for public attention to the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte, acknowledging that Senate procedures may be technical but emphasizing that the process serves the Filipino people. #VPonTrialFollow… pic.twitter.com/D3mv7peufS

— Inquirer (@inquirerdotnet) August 12, 2026

“Igalang naman po natin ang kapwa natin lawyer.”Defense counsel Kristine Ferrer calls for respect after prosecution counsel Lorna Kapunan’s “spanking” remark.Presiding Officer Francis Escudero notes that the remark had been withdrawn earlier, but Kapunan still reiterates her… pic.twitter.com/Q9dRos46fE

— Inquirer (@inquirerdotnet) August 12, 2026

“Kung nakakatawa ang pangalan, fictitious na ba ’yon?”Prosecution counsel Lorna Kapunan objects to defense counsel Kristine Ferrer’s questions about the names of payees listed in acknowledgment receipts.Presiding Officer Francis Escudero urges Kapunan to “give Ferrer her… pic.twitter.com/j9iKJsGPFU

— Inquirer (@inquirerdotnet) August 12, 2026

‘I HOPE THAT ATTY. LIGUTAN WILL BE HEARD AS WELL’Lead prosecutor Gerville Luistro defended Atty. Amando Virgil Ligutan amid the defense’s concerns over his social media post about “misleading question,” saying she does not believe it constitutes a violation. #VPonTrialFollow… pic.twitter.com/aihTp59J9Y

— Inquirer (@inquirerdotnet) August 12, 2026

Senator-judge Robin Padilla questions COA auditor Xylene Del Campo about her knowledge of terrorist infiltration of alternative and Lumad schools, as well as minors being among NPA surrenderees. #VPonTrialFollow our live updates here: https://t.co/NMaqw86S2B Watch our live… pic.twitter.com/BOynvVX600

— Inquirer (@inquirerdotnet) August 12, 2026

Just because the names of alleged recipients of VP Sara Duterte’s confidential funds are funny does not mean they’re fake or fictitious

"This behavior is in bad taste" Lead defense counsel Sheila Sison flags a social media post of prosecution lawyer Amando Ligutan on misleading questions, which refers to an exchange in the court."Impeachment court is also a court of decorum and the rules on impeachment under… pic.twitter.com/AjNx7sjSOA

— Inquirer (@inquirerdotnet) August 12, 2026

‘IRREGULAR PO ‘YUNG PAGGAMIT NILA’ Senator-Judge Risa Hontiveros highlighted findings from a Commission on Audit (COA) review indicating that confidential fund expenditures by the Office of the Vice President (OVP) and the Department of Education (DepEd) were deemed "irregular"… pic.twitter.com/Zl3GqycnUj

— Inquirer (@inquirerdotnet) August 12, 2026

Presiding Officer Francis Escudero questions COA auditor Xylene Del Campo about former OVP SDO Gina Acosta’s statement that she gave the confidential funds to Col. Raymund Lachica.Escudero asks whether Del Campo checked the official transcript or relied on what she heard during… pic.twitter.com/yXkSW4Y5pk

— Inquirer (@inquirerdotnet) August 12, 2026

Xylene Del Campo says only sales invoices and official receipts are sufficient documents for purchases, while other “adequate records” may be accepted for payments of rewards for information. #VPonTrialFollow our live updates here: https://t.co/NMaqw86S2BWatch our live stream… pic.twitter.com/N3donwmPnG

— Inquirer (@inquirerdotnet) August 12, 2026

IS FRAUD AUDIT POSSIBLE?Senator-judge Bam Aquino asked COA auditor Xylene Del Campo if the agency could trigger a fraud investigation over the use of unusual names or aliases, to which Del Campo said no such action had been taken yet as the matter was still being studied, but… pic.twitter.com/riADrpgzEJ

— Inquirer (@inquirerdotnet) August 12, 2026

Defense counsel Kristine Ferrer asks court to remind prosecution counsel Lorna Kapunan to avoid arguing for the witness.“She's citing circulars, she's citing laws, which is not allowed during cross-examination,” Ferrer says.Kapunan responds: “I accept what she said, Your… pic.twitter.com/EHJKWmW9u2

— Inquirer (@inquirerdotnet) August 12, 2026

“The counsel cannot dictate how I will proceed with my cross examination.”The prosecution and defense clash over whose copy of documents should be used during the cross-examination. To recall, the opposing parties failed to compare documents. #VPonTrialFollow our live updates… pic.twitter.com/6A0frS0HxM

— Inquirer (@inquirerdotnet) August 12, 2026

‘KAYO PO AY TAGA BAGUIO?’Senator-judge Robin Padilla started his intervening questions to COA auditor Xylene Del Campo by asking if she was from Baguio, before sharing information about alleged terrorist infiltration of alternative and Lumad schools in Davao and minors among… pic.twitter.com/quc6RevwRB

— Inquirer (@inquirerdotnet) August 12, 2026

COA auditor Xylene Del Campo, during re-cross, says there were no findings that the VPSPG received payments for rewards or purchases of information from the confidential funds.Regarding her earlier testimony that confidential operations are not part of the OVP and DepEd’s… pic.twitter.com/WojOAk7wJn

— Inquirer (@inquirerdotnet) August 12, 2026

A state auditor maintained the confidentiality of operations by Duterte’s offices does not extend to where the medicines were bought.

COA auditor Xylene Del Campo says Vice President Sara Duterte’s personal engagements and activities of the VPSPG to ensure her security are not chargeable to confidential funds.Prosecution counsel Lorna Kapunan asks whether confidential activities are part of the OVP and… pic.twitter.com/4vx8kPF4QY

— Inquirer (@inquirerdotnet) August 12, 2026

“I am preventing myself from giving her a spanking”Prosecution counsel Lorna Kapunan and defense lawyer Kristine Ferrer clash on misleading questions as Ferrer cross examines COA-ICFAO state auditor Xylene Del Campo.Presiding Officer Francis Escudero reminds the counsels to… pic.twitter.com/uGY8XFTgaW

— Inquirer (@inquirerdotnet) August 12, 2026

“Despite all these, disallowed pa rin kasi walang evidence of success”Defense counsel Kristine Ferrer asks COA-ICFAO state auditor Xylene Del Campo why she recommended the disallowance of OVP’s confidential funds after she said some activities charged to the CF were part of… pic.twitter.com/f2LLid5tL8

— Inquirer (@inquirerdotnet) August 12, 2026

‘ABSOLUTE WASTE OF TIME’Atty. Lorna Kapunan criticized defense lawyer Kristine Ferrer’s line of questioning as an “absolute waste of time,” arguing that former COA state auditor Roderick Wamil was not present and could have been asked about his own statements when he testified… pic.twitter.com/pAetGTvxyI

— Inquirer (@inquirerdotnet) August 12, 2026

Defense counsel Kristine Ferrer asks Presiding Officer Francis Escudero not to allow prosecution counsel Lorna Kapunan to make side comments.

“Igalang naman ho natin ‘yung kapwa natin na lawyer.” This is what defense counsel Atty. Kristine Ferrer said on Wednesday.

The seeming “generational divide” between two prosecution and defense lawyers triggered tensions during the impeachment trial.

Del Campo said that CF was used to allow the OVP to do surveillance ahead of Duterte’s visit to the areas concerned.

‘YOU HAVE TO ADMIT YOU HAD FUN WITH THE NAMES'Atty. Lorna Kapunan pushed back after Atty. Kristine Ferrer questioned whether a “funny” name automatically means it is fictitious, saying the names shown in the acknowledgment receipts were only incidental and that the documents… pic.twitter.com/IyV5dT65d5

— Inquirer (@inquirerdotnet) August 12, 2026

“Kung nakakatawa ang pangalan, fictitious na ba ‘yon?”Defense counsel Kristine Ferrer asks COA auditor Xylene Del Campo about the names of payees in acknowledgement receipts, which were presented by prosecution.Prosecution counsel Lorna Kapunan objects, saying the question… pic.twitter.com/GXtn758lOS

— Inquirer (@inquirerdotnet) August 12, 2026

Defense counsel Kristine Ferrer asks COA auditor Xylene Del Campo on the content of the notice of disallowance. Ferrer: May nakalagay po bang word na "misuse"? How about the "corruption"? How about "misappropriation"? Del Campo says those words were not mentioned in the ND.… pic.twitter.com/xaZDcLmuCd

— Inquirer (@inquirerdotnet) August 12, 2026

Defense counsel Kristine Ferrer asks COA auditor Xylene Del Campo on the content of the notice of disallowance. Ferrer: May nakalagay po bang word na "misuse"? How about the "corruption"? How about "misappropriation"? Del Campo says those words were not mentioned in the ND.… pic.twitter.com/xaZDcLmuCd

— Inquirer (@inquirerdotnet) August 12, 2026

‘I PROMISE TO BEHAVE’Atty. Lorna Kapunan promises “to behave” after Atty. Kristine Ferrer urged the court to discourage side comments and emphasized the importance of professionalism and mutual respect among lawyers in the courtroom.The impeachment court got heated earlier… pic.twitter.com/RPIvfBLHkK

— Inquirer (@inquirerdotnet) August 12, 2026

‘MISLEADING QUESTIONS ARE NOT ALLOWED EVEN ON CROSS-EXAMINATION’House prosecutor Amando Virgil Ligutan reminded all lawyers and law students that misleading questions are not allowed even when cross-examining witnesses.On the 15th day of Vice President Sara Duterte’s… pic.twitter.com/ogYUCNh5H4

— Inquirer (@inquirerdotnet) August 12, 2026

Defense counsel Kristine Ferrer asks auditor Xylene Del Campo to read activities listed in OVP’s Protective Intelligence Operations Report.

MANILA, Philippines – Presiding Officer Francis Escudero urges the prosecution and defense not to allow a “generational divide” to fuel tensions as the two sides clashed during the cross-examination of COA-ICFAO auditor Xylene Del Campo during Day 15 of Vice President Sara Duterte’s impeachment trial./ dp READ: LIVE UPDATES: Sara Duterte impeachment tiral | Aug

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

‘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

"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

“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

"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

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

‘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

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

‘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

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

COA-ICFAO state auditor Xylene del Campo will continue to testify in Vice President Sara Duterte’s impeachment trial on Wednesday.

Heidi Mendoza in an interview with Inquirer on Tuesday said that if she were the one tasked to audit Duterte’s confidential fund (CF) use.

More food-related names, such as “Pampano,” “Keso,” “Kamote,” and “Mango,” were among the unusual-sounding surnames that appeared in ARs.

Tree planting, gift-giving, medical missions, wheelchair distribution, and Christmas gatherings were cited by OVP to justify its CF spending.

VP Duterte cannot simply pass responsibility for the P612.5M in CFs spent by the OVP and DepEd to her special disbursing officers.