The House prosecution panel is working to complete the pre-trial proceedings in the impeachment case against Vice President Sara Duterte by June 25, aligning its timetable with the Senate impeachment court’s schedule, House trial spokesperson and Kabataan party-list Rep. Renee Co said.
She said the panel welcomed the conduct of the scheduled pre-trial conference and expects the process to proceed as planned, particularly the continued marking of evidence and submission of remaining pre-trial requirements.
The next phase includes the formal marking of evidence for the unresolved Articles of Impeachment, which cover allegations involving unexplained wealth and the alleged misuse of confidential and intelligence funds.
The solon said the Senate calendar provides a deadline of June 25 for the completion of pre-trial proceedings, after which the impeachment court is expected to issue its pre-trial order.
She added that the prosecution hopes the court will be able to release the order on schedule to help define agreed facts, disputed issues, and matters that must still be litigated during the trial proper.
While acknowledging reports of tension during the initial pre-trial conference, Co said such developments are expected in adversarial proceedings where opposing sides present competing arguments and evidence.
She noted that both parties were instructed to submit their positions on disputed stipulations, which the impeachment court will evaluate in determining which facts are considered settled and which require full trial presentation.
According to the Kabataan party-list representative, witness listing had already been conducted on the first day of the pre-trial conference, while the remaining evidence marking is set to continue on June 22. She urged the public to await further updates as proceedings continue.
Co said the issuance of a pre-trial order is crucial in streamlining the upcoming trial, as it would eliminate the need to re-establish facts already agreed upon by both sides.
The House prosecution team, she added, remains focused on preparing witnesses, documentary evidence, and legal arguments ahead of the formal trial starting on July 6, with the goal of presenting a structured and complete case before the Senate impeachment court.