The House prosecution panel said it will present more than 30 witnesses in the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte, as preparations intensify ahead of the submission of its pre-trial brief to the Senate impeachment court on June 18.
House lead prosecutor and Batangas Rep. Gerville Luistro said the expanded witness list is intended to ensure that all relevant testimonies are properly introduced during the proceedings, noting that the final count exceeds initial estimates of 25 to 30 witnesses.
Luistro said the prosecution is also preparing a substantial volume of documentary evidence, particularly in relation to allegations of misuse of confidential funds and unexplained wealth. She added that the pre-trial brief will include the list of witnesses, stipulated facts, and evidence to be presented before the impeachment court.
She explained that while general rules require parties to disclose witnesses ahead of trial, impeachment procedures allow limited reservations for certain witnesses and documents for security and safety reasons, provided their roles and expected testimonies are sufficiently described.
Impeachment prosecutor Rep. Ysabel Maria Zamora of San Juan City said this also applies to sensitive witnesses, including possible bank representatives, whose identities may be withheld at the pre-trial stage but whose positions and expected testimony will be disclosed.
Luistro added that bank records and financial documents have long been part of the evidence intended for presentation by the prosecution, particularly in connection with the financial allegations included in the Articles of Impeachment.
The Senate impeachment court is set to hold its pre-trial conference on June 18, with the formal trial scheduled to begin on July 6.