House prosecutor and Akbayan Party-list Rep. Chel Diokno on Sunday said the prosecution panel is preparing for expected legal challenges from Vice President Sara Z. Duterte’s defense team once the impeachment trial begins next month.
In a radio interview, Diokno said prosecutors are undergoing standard trial preparations, including witness presentation, documentary evidence, and anticipation of defense arguments.
“Alam po ninyo, ang ginagawa naming paghahanda ay hindi naiiba sa paghahanda sa anumang kaso sa korte,” Diokno said.
He said the prosecution is carefully organizing witnesses and evidence ahead of the July 6 start of the trial.
“Nariyan ang mga testigo, ang presentasyon ng ebidensya, at paghahanda sa mga posibleng argumento ng kabilang panig,” he said.
Diokno noted that members of the defense panel have already publicly raised arguments regarding the impeachment case, allowing prosecutors to anticipate possible motions and objections before the Senate impeachment court.
“Dahil marami nang sinasabi ang defense counsel tungkol sa kaso, inaasahan naming magkakaroon ng mga objection at iba’t ibang klase ng motion,” he said.
“Kinakailangan din namin paghandaan ang mga ito,” he added.
The House prosecution panel has said it is prepared to present evidence supporting all four Articles of Impeachment against Duterte, which include allegations of misuse of confidential funds, unexplained wealth, bribery, and threats against President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos, and former Speaker Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez.
The Senate impeachment court is expected to conclude pre-trial proceedings within the week ahead of the scheduled start of the trial proper on July 6.