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Duterte camp accused of timing press conferences to deflect impeachment trial

A House private prosecutor has identified a pattern of distraction tactics by Vice President Sara Duterte's camp during her ongoing impeachment proceedings. The strategy appears designed to shift media attention away from damaging testimony and evidence presented in court.

LSN Philippines · 19 August 2026

MANILA — House private prosecutor Lorna Kapunan has accused Vice President Sara Duterte's camp of orchestrating strategic press conferences timed to coincide with damaging courtroom revelations during her impeachment trial.

Kapunan highlighted the apparent pattern during a Wednesday press conference, noting that whenever particularly incriminating testimonies or evidence are presented before the impeachment court, the Vice President's supporters promptly hold competing media events focused on unrelated topics.

The prosecutor's observation underscores the adversarial dynamics surrounding the high-profile proceeding, which has commanded significant public attention. The pattern, if accurate, would represent a coordinated effort to manage the narrative around the trial's most critical moments.

The impeachment case continues to unfold with competing camps utilizing media platforms to shape public perception of the proceedings. Kapunan's explicit identification of the tactic signals the House prosecution's intent to maintain focus on substantive trial evidence despite potential external distractions.