The House prosecution panel is pushing to complete the marking of exhibits in the impeachment case against Vice President Sara Z. Duterte while awaiting the Senate impeachment court’s pre-trial order, which will serve as the binding roadmap for the trial set for July 6.
Lead prosecutor Batangas Rep. Gerville “Jinky Bitrics” Luistro said the prosecution is working to expedite the pre-trial process.
“It has always been the position of the prosecution to expedite the pre-trial conference and that is why we would want really to finish this marking today,” she said.
Luistro said current proceedings focus on documentary exhibits for the first two Articles of Impeachment, covering allegations on confidential funds and unexplained wealth.
“I would like to give an update dun sa ating pre-trial conference. On-going po ang marking ng exhibits that is for Article 1, Confidential Fund and Article 2, Unexplained Wealth,” she said.
She acknowledged that the process remains challenging due to the volume of records involved.
“But of course, there are challenges and limitations, and we acknowledge that,” Luistro said.
Once both sides complete the marking of exhibits, Luistro said the Senate impeachment court is expected to issue a pre-trial order that will define stipulated facts, witnesses, exhibits, trial dates, and the sequence of presentation.
“Now after the marking of all exhibits for both parties, we anticipate to receive the pre-trial order from the impeachment court,” she said, adding that both parties may still submit comments if needed.
Luistro stressed that the trial date remains fixed.
“And what is important of course is with regards to the start of the trial, it is certain that it will commence on July 6 as previously announced by the Senate,” she said.
She added that the pre-trial order will be binding on both parties and the impeachment court.
“The pre-trial order is very important because this is binding between the parties including the impeachment court. Whatever is contained there must be followed by all parties as we proceed to trial of the articles of impeachment,” she said.
Luistro said the prosecution initially sought to speed up exhibit marking by forming three teams for Article I, but the defense objected, citing insufficient manpower.
“For example today, we would like to have three teams for confidential fund… However, the defense could not agree to that, claiming that they do not have sufficient lawyer,” she said.
She said the prosecution understands the limitation but remains focused on completing pre-trial proceedings as soon as possible to keep the July 6 schedule on track.
“So we understand that, and as a matter of fact, we consider that as one of the limitations and challenges in our objective to proceed and terminate… the instant pre-trial conference,” she said.