The House prosecution panel said it sees no remaining procedural barriers to the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte, following the completion of pre-trial proceedings at the Senate impeachment court.
The Senate concluded the five-day pre-trial conference on Thursday, wrapping up discussions on documentary evidence, witness lists, and procedural matters ahead of the formal trial scheduled for July 6.
House impeachment spokesperson Rep. Zia Alonto Adiong said the end of the pre-trial phase clears the way for the start of the constitutional proceedings.
“Ang pagtatapos po ng pre-trial conference ay isang malaking hudyat na wala pong maaaring hadlang sa pag-umpisa ng actual impeachment trial sa nalalapit na July 6 na naaayon sa ating Saligang Batas,” Adiong said in a Zoom briefing.
He added that the prosecution is preparing to submit its formal comments following the completion of pre-trial submissions.
House legal spokesperson Atty. Benjamin “Jay” Tolosa Jr. said the prosecution spent five days completing procedural requirements, including marking thousands of documentary exhibits, identifying witnesses, and submitting proposed stipulations before the impeachment court.
“The good news is that with the completion of the pre-trial proceedings, the impeachment trial is now set to commence on July 6,” Tolosa said.
He described the completion of pre-trial work as a key milestone that allows the constitutional process to proceed and enables the public to follow the presentation of evidence in an orderly manner.
Tolosa also thanked the Senate impeachment court secretariat for assisting both parties in managing the volume of evidence, including documents tied to allegations of unexplained wealth and confidential fund use.
With only days remaining before the trial begins, Adiong said the Senate, sitting as an impeachment court, is expected to begin hearing evidence from both sides in accordance with due process.
He added that the prosecution is ready to present its case publicly, stressing the importance of transparency and accountability.
“The taumbayan po ay nakikinig, nagmamatyag… deserve nila ang katotohanan,” Adiong said, adding that the prosecution is committed to laying out the evidence before the Filipino public.