Senate President Sherwin Gatchalian said the Senate is “very prepared” to begin the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte on Monday, July 6.
Gatchalian made the assurance after he and impeachment court officials conducted a walk-through inspection of the Senate plenary hall, which will serve as the impeachment court.
“We’re very prepared… In fact, today will be the physical inspection, and then we’ll continue to improve as we go along,” Gatchalian said.
He said he was satisfied with the preparations and the setup of the plenary hall.
“On track naman kami. And kahit na maliit yung space, at least naayos na natin yung mga spaces,” he said.
(We are on track. Although the space is small, we were able to arrange the spaces properly.)
Gatchalian said 150 people will be allowed to observe the trial from the session hall on a first-come, first-served basis. The hall has 340 audience seats.
He said the prosecution and defense panels are also scheduled to conduct their own ocular inspection of the impeachment court this week.
From July 6 to 27, Gatchalian said the trial will be held every Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday starting at 2 p.m.
“Thereafter, trial shall be held at 3:00 in the afternoon on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays until its termination,” he said.
Gatchalian said the prosecution asked for 62 trial dates, while the defense requested 30 trial dates to present their respective cases.
Citing a Supreme Court ruling, Gatchalian said the prosecution has the prerogative to decide which evidence or witnesses it will present first.
The prosecution will begin with Article IV, which involves the alleged assassination threats against President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos, and former Speaker Martin Romualdez. This is expected to require at least 11 trial dates.
Article I, involving the alleged misuse of confidential funds, will be presented next and is expected to take 31 trial dates.
This will be followed by Article III, involving the alleged bribery of Department of Education officials, which is expected to require eight trial dates.
Article II, involving Duterte’s alleged unexplained wealth, will be presented last and is expected to take 12 trial dates.
Gatchalian said the order of presentation will be followed unless modified by the prosecution through a manifestation and approved by the impeachment court.
“The parties are directed to be ready on the scheduled trial dates with their witnesses and evidence, in accordance with the Pre-Trial Order and subsequent issuances by the Impeachment Court,” he said.
Gatchalian said both parties agreed to the use of Filipino and English during the trial, subject to the court’s control of proceedings and the availability of interpretation when necessary.
He said the prosecution and defense also agreed to reciprocal witness disclosure. Under the arrangement, the prosecution must give at least three calendar days’ advance notice before presenting witnesses, while the defense will be given five days’ prior notice in recognition of the respondent’s right to due process.
Both parties were directed to review the Pre-Trial Order issued last Monday and submit any comments by Thursday, July 2.
Gatchalian said that if no comments are submitted, no further corrections will be allowed and the order will govern the trial unless modified by the court.
He said any modification must be meant to ensure the fair, orderly, and expeditious conduct of proceedings, promote the efficient presentation of evidence, clarify or simplify issues, prevent undue confusion or prejudice, or serve the best interests of justice.
The prosecution is expected to present 57 witnesses, while the defense will present 45. Both panels also identified 17 common witnesses.