The House prosecution panel is finalizing its witnesses and documentary evidence for the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Z. Duterte before the Senate impeachment court.
House prosecutor and Bicol Saro Party-list Rep. Terry Ridon said the panel is focused on completing all trial preparations ahead of the pre-trial proceedings scheduled for mid-June and the formal trial set to begin on July 6.
“So naghahanda po kami towards pre-trial. Lahat po ng mga ebidensya, dokumento, at witnesses ay pinipinal para pagka nagkaroon po ng pre-trial conference kasama ang Senate impeachment court at ang kabilang panig, handang-handa na po ang prosecution panel,” Ridon said during the Saturday News Forum at Dapo Restaurant in Quezon City.
Ridon said the prosecution team and volunteer private lawyers have also begun holding mock trials for each article of impeachment to refine their presentation of evidence and witness testimonies.
“Sa nakaraang mga araw, nagaganap na po ang mock trials para sa bawat article of impeachment. Nagsasanay na po ang public at volunteer private lawyers namin para rito,” he said.
The Articles of Impeachment accuse Duterte of misuse of confidential funds, unexplained wealth, bribery, and threats against top government officials.
Ridon also said the prosecution panel will no longer file a formal reply to Duterte’s answer before the impeachment court. Instead, the panel will submit a manifestation, arguing that the Vice President failed to directly respond to the allegations point by point.
“Minarapat ng House prosecution panel na hindi mag-submit ng formal reply doon sa answer, non-answer ng ating pangalawang pangulo,” Ridon said.
“Ang isa-submit lang po ng House prosecution panel ay manifestation dahil tingin po namin wala naman pong sinagot kahit ano ang ating pangalawang pangulo point by point doon sa Articles of Impeachment na ibinigay sa kanya,” he added.
The prosecution panel earlier said it intends to present documentary, financial, and testimonial evidence, including Anti-Money Laundering Council reports, findings from government investigations, and other records supporting the allegations in the impeachment complaint.
The Senate impeachment court is expected to hold pre-trial proceedings this month before the trial opens on July 6.