Vice President Sara Z. Duterte’s defense team has requested eight trial days to present its witnesses and evidence on the remaining unexplained wealth charge, raising the possibility that the evidentiary phase of her impeachment trial could be completed before the end of November.
This was disclosed by House impeachment adviser and trial spokesperson Robert Ace Barbers.
“So magmula ng November 9, meron pong eight trial days ang hiningi ng defense panel dito sa Article Two, ‘yung unexplained wealth. At kung bibilangin natin, kung mag-uumpisa tayo ng November 9 plus eight trial days, assuming everyday ang trial, eh siguro matagal na po ‘yung mga two weeks,” Barbers said in a television interview.
The Senate impeachment court has scheduled hearings on November 9 to 13, 19, 20 and 23, with several full-day sessions intended to accommodate the defense presentation while balancing the chamber’s legislative responsibilities and preparations for the ASEAN Summit.
Barbers had earlier estimated that the defense might need five to 10 trial days because only one impeachment article remains, but his latest disclosure identified the eight-day period specifically requested by Duterte’s legal team.
“Well, sa aming palagay, depende ito doon sa dami ng kanilang ihahaing mga witness at ebidensya,” Barbers clarified.
The Senate impeachment court approved the prosecution’s withdrawal of Article I on the alleged misuse of confidential funds, Article III on bribery, and Article IV on grave threats on Oct. 13, leaving Article II concerning Duterte’s alleged unexplained wealth and financial declarations.
The prosecution is also prepared to accept stipulations on uncontested evidence, a procedure that allows both sides to agree on certain facts or the authenticity of documents without requiring additional testimony or lengthy arguments.
“Sa aming panig, sa prosecution panig, para lamang mapabilis natin, pumapayag naman po sa mga stipulation ang ating prosecution panel on certain evidence na hindi na kailangang pag-awayan o pagdebatehan pa sa loob ng korte,” Barbers disclosed.
The prosecution’s willingness to stipulate evidence could help narrow the remaining disputes, particularly if the defense agrees that certain documents or factual matters no longer require extensive questioning before the senator-judges.
“Papayag naman tayo diyan at ‘yan naman ang naging aksyon ng prosecution panel mula pa ng umpisa na there are instances na ang mga ebidensya ay para hindi na po humaba at hindi na po mapagtalunan dahil wala naman pong pagtatalunang issue ay ito pong pinapayagan na lang na magkaroon ng stipulation,” Barbers also explained.
The House prosecution concluded its presentation of evidence before the October recess, including testimony from bank officials, financial investigators, and Forensic Accounting Expert Alexander Cabrera, whose findings concerning Duterte and her husband, Lawyer Manases Carpio, remain disputed by the defense.
“Kasi ito ay by and large magiging dependent doon sa number ng witnesses at documentary evidence na kanilang ipipresenta sa defense,” Barbers pointed out.
“At ang masasabi lang natin diyan, ang prosecution panel ay matagal nang naghahanda sa ganitong pagkakataon na ma-cross-examine din ‘yung kanilang mga witnesses at masuri din ‘yung kanilang mga ebidensyang ilalatag,” Barbers also stressed.