The pre-trial conference in the impeachment case against Vice President Sara Duterte concluded Thursday afternoon after five days of continuous proceedings focused on the marking and organization of thousands of documentary exhibits submitted by both the prosecution and defense panels.
The process, which began on June 18, involved the review of more than 4,000 documents from each side, slowing proceedings as legal teams carefully examined and identified evidence to be presented in the upcoming trial.
Senate Secretary Renato Bantug, who also serves as impeachment court clerk, said the court is expected to issue a pre-trial order next week. Both parties will be given at least three days to submit comments or objections, if any.
The pre-trial order will serve as the framework for the formal trial, outlining agreed facts, narrowing legal issues, and identifying the evidence and witnesses allowed for presentation before the impeachment court.
To manage the volume of submissions, the court expanded the number of evidence-marking teams during the proceedings. Lawmakers earlier noted that the number of teams increased from four in the initial days to six, with additional groups assigned to handle exhibits under Articles 1 and 2 of the impeachment complaint.
Article 1 covers the alleged misuse of confidential funds, while Article 2 pertains to the alleged unexplained wealth of the Vice President.
Proceedings initially ran from 9 am to 5 pm but were later extended until 7 pm to accelerate the completion of document marking and organization.
The pre-trial phase focused on streamlining issues for trial, ensuring that both sides have clearly defined evidence sets and arguments ahead of the formal impeachment proceedings.