The defense team for Vice President Sara Z. Duterte may wrap up its presentation of evidence within five to 10 trial days now that only Article II regarding alleged unexplained wealth remains before the Senate impeachment court, according to House impeachment adviser and trial spokesperson Robert Ace Barbers.
Barbers provided the estimate following the prosecution panel’s decision to drop three of the four original articles that defense attorneys had prepared to address.
“Dahil nga isa na lang yung article na tatalakayin noh when we resume in November 9, so most likely matagal na siguro yung, between five to ten trial days,” Barbers said.
The defense had formulated its initial witness list and schedule based on the full scope of four articles. The withdrawal of charges related to confidential funds, bribery, and grave threats significantly reduces the scope of testimony and documentary evidence admissible for the defense stage.
Barbers noted that the prosecution must first complete the formal submission of its documentary evidence before the defense panel takes the floor.
“So by that time, by the way, October 23, I think the prosecution is compelled to submit an offer of a documentary evidence,” Barbers explained.
“And then they will give the defense ten days to comment and then when we resume in November 09, ah, siguro five to ten trial days tapos na yung kanilang presentation of evidence unless ah pahabain nila,” Barbers also said.
The impeachment court has set aside trial dates in November, coinciding with the resumption of regular legislative sessions and hearings on the national budget.
Barbers explained that prosecutors sought to streamline the proceedings partly out of concern that covering all four original articles could prolong the trial into the following year.
“Yun ang aming nakikita na maaaring idrag ito paabutin ito hanggang December o hindi kaya more than, baka umabot pa to next year no which I think is counterproductive sa ating lahat eh,” Barbers maintained.
Barbers stressed that Congress must balance the trial proceedings with other crucial national matters.
“Hindi naman dapat tayo nakatutok lamang diyan because marami pa tayong kailangan gawin importante yun nga isang issue yung Super El Niño,” Barbers said.
“I think the government must do something about this. They should prepare for this,” Barbers added.