The House prosecution panel raised no objections to shifting Vice President Sara Z. Duterte’s impeachment trial to the afternoon to accelerate the process.
Prosecutor and Bicol Saro Party-list Rep. Terry Ridon noted that the prosecution is comfortable with Monday-to-Wednesday hearings extending into the evening. He added that they would support adding a fourth hearing day each week if the Senate Impeachment Court finds the schedule feasible.
According to Ridon, longer schedules and extra days would help the court make up for delays caused by severe weather without cutting into either side’s presentation time.
“Wala po tayong pagtutol doon sa pagpapalit ng oras,” Ridon said during the Saturday News Forum at Dampa Restaurant in Quezon City.
The Vice President previously called for a speedy trial in accordance with her constitutional rights. Senate Majority Leader Juan Miguel Zubiri suggested holding regular Senate plenary sessions in the morning and starting the trial around 3 p.m., running as late as 10 p.m. when required. This framework aims to keep legislative duties from interrupting witness examinations.
“Iyong binabanggit ni Sen. Zubiri na habaan iyong oras, ang expectation namin, kung magsisimula ng alas-tres ng hapon, matutuloy po ito hanggang, at the latest, alas-diyes ng gabi,” Ridon explained. “Malaki iyong araw na puwede talagang magugol sa pagpapabilis noong paglilitis.”
The Impeachment Court has not yet officially adopted the proposed timetable.
“Ang interest po natin dito ay ma-expedite iyong proceedings, tapusin na iyong paglilitis sa pinakamaagang panahon,” Ridon said.
Heavy rainfall recently forced the cancellation of two hearing days, leaving the direct examination of former Office of the Vice President (OVP) special disbursing officer Gina Acosta incomplete. On adding more time, Ridon said, “kung kayang magdagdag ng mga araw ng paglilitis, mula sa tatlong araw, kung puwedeng gawing apat na araw, napakaganda rin po iyon.”
The prosecution intends to finish presenting evidence for all four Articles of Impeachment by the end of September or early October if delays continue, after which the defense will present its case.
“Hopefully, this is just a target and a goal, sana matapos kami by the end of September presenting all of the articles,” Ridon said,, emphasizing that the proposed afternoon schedule would give both sides ample uninterrupted time for direct, cross and redirect examinations, as well as questions from senator-judges.