Senate impeachment court Presiding Officer Francis Escudero said he hopes the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte will be completed before November or December.
Speaking on his YouTube program, Escudero said the proceedings started slowly because all participants were still adjusting to the impeachment process.
“Any new process or new trial requires everyone to adjust. The beginning is naturally slower, including for me,” he said.
Escudero expressed confidence that the pace of the trial would improve in the coming weeks as the senator-judges, House prosecutors and defense lawyers become more familiar with the proceedings.
He emphasized, however, that the court would not sacrifice due process in an effort to speed up the trial.
“I hope we can finish this before November or December without rushing the process,” Escudero said.
The Senate president said the timetable remains flexible because it will depend on the volume of evidence and witnesses presented by both the prosecution and the defense.
He added that either side may still call additional witnesses not included in their original list, provided they give at least five days’ notice to allow the opposing party to prepare for cross-examination.
