The House prosecution panel is open to shortening the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte if it determines that the evidence already presented is sufficient to prove its case.
House prosecution panel adviser and Surigao del Norte Rep. Robert Ace Barbers said the prosecution may no longer need to present all its witnesses and evidence if the impeachment court has already thoroughly examined the case and the defense has been given the opportunity to respond.
“Sa aking paniwala, hindi naman siguro kailangan ang lahat po ng ‘yan ay ma-representa o mailatag… Kung ang prosecution team believes na sufficient na ang kanilang nailatag na ebidensya at nasuri na ito nang mabuti ng ating impeachment court at na-counter na ito ng defense, siguro magkakaroon ng kasunduan na umiksi ang trial,” Barbers said in an interview with local media.
Barbers made the remark after Senate President Sherwin Gatchalian urged both parties to shorten the proceedings by reducing the number of witnesses, particularly those whose testimonies would merely corroborate existing evidence.
“Nanawagan kami sa kanila na iksian yung kanilang trial at mabawasan ang kanilang testigo kung kayang bawasan. Kung corroborative naman, baka puwedeng isa o dalawa na lang imbes na mas marami,” Gatchalian said in a separate interview.
Duterte’s impeachment trial is scheduled to begin at 2 p.m. on Monday, July 6.
The proceedings will initially be held every Monday to Wednesday at 2 p.m. until President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s fifth State of the Nation Address on July 27. After the SONA, hearings will shift to Tuesdays through Thursdays at the same time.
The House of Representatives impeached Duterte in May over allegations of culpable violation of the Constitution, graft and corruption, bribery, betrayal of public trust, and other high crimes.
On June 1, Duterte’s legal team filed its answer to the Articles of Impeachment and asked the impeachment court to dismiss the case.
Barbers also said he believes Duterte should personally attend the trial as a demonstration of respect for the rule of law and the impeachment court.
Meanwhile, Senate Secretary Renato Bantug Jr. said Duterte’s legal team has yet to confirm whether the Vice President will attend Monday’s proceedings, but clarified that her appearance is not mandatory under the impeachment rules.
