The House prosecution panel is ready to pursue the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte to the end, even if the proceedings last several months.
According to Manila Rep. Joel Chua, one of the House prosecutors, he gave the assurance after Senate President Sherwin Gatchalian said in an earlier interview that the impeachment trial could take seven to eight months.
“Wala pong bibitiw,” the Manila solon said in a radio interview when asked if the prosecution was prepared for a lengthy trial.
“Basta tayo po ay gagawin lamang po namin sa abot na aming makakaya, lahat ng aming magagawa para maipresenta sa ating mga kababayan at impeachment court ang mga ebidensya base po sa per artikulo,” he added.
He clarified, however, that the prosecution’s proposed 62 presentation days should not be taken as the definite duration of the trial.
“Pero hindi naman ibig sabihin noon lahat ’yan masusunod,” he said.
He explained that the estimate was based on the assumption that only one witness would be presented per hearing. The timeline could be shortened if prosecutors present two or three witnesses in a single trial day.
Chua also said the prosecution may opt not to present all four Articles of Impeachment if it determines that the evidence already presented is enough to secure a conviction.
“Kung saka-sakali po halimbawa dumating pagkaraan po ng dalawang articles, sa tingin po namin ay may sapat na numero na at talagang matibay na matibay na ebidensya na nai-presenta namin, eh pwede naman din po dumating ang pagkakataon ay i-waive na namin ‘yung ibang articles,” he said.
He also explained why the number of documentary exhibits increased during the pre-trial process.
According to the lawmaker, the prosecution has around 4,000 acknowledgment receipts related to confidential funds. He said the defense declined a common marking procedure and instead chose to separately mark the same documents, effectively doubling the number of documents processed.
“Pwede naman kasi ’yung common marking, ibig sabihin po sa isang dokumento puwedeng ’yung defense at saka ’yung prosecution eh doon na lang magmarka sa isang dokumento,” he said.
“Pero nangyari ay dahil ayaw pumayag ng defense at gusto nila separate marking yung gawin sa kanila, so ’yung 4,000 dokumento naging 8,000,” he added.
The Senate impeachment court is scheduled to begin the trial proper on July 6.
Duterte is facing impeachment allegations involving the alleged misuse of confidential funds, unexplained wealth, bribery involving Department of Education personnel, and threats against the country’s top officials.