House impeachment prosecutors said their first witness stood firm under questioning during the opening week of Vice President Sara Z. Duterte’s impeachment trial, as the panel prepared to present more witnesses on Article IV, which covers the allegation of grave threats.
At a press conference after the third trial day, San Juan City Rep. Ysabel Maria Zamora, 1-Rider Party-list Rep. Rodge Gutierrez, Deputy Speaker Paolo Ortega, and trial spokesperson Atty. Benjamin “Jay” Tolosa Jr. gave updates on the proceedings before the impeachment court.
Zamora, a member of the House prosecution panel, thanked the public for following the first week of trial, saying viewers were able to see both sides present their arguments before the court.
“Maraming salamat po sa lahat ng sumubaybay, lahat po ng nanood at nakinig sa ating first week of the impeachment trial,” Zamora said.
“Nakita nyo po ang dalawang panig, ang mga abogado representing the prosecution and representing the defense, at nakita nyo po kung paano po tayo gumalaw sa isang impeachment court,” she added.
Zamora said the prosecution’s first witness, National Bureau of Investigation Senior Agent John Mark Calilung, remained steady despite questioning from the defense.
“Nakita nyo din po ang ating unang witness at ang kanyang testimonya at nakita ninyo na hindi natinag o nabasag ang testimonya ng ating witness na si John Mark Calilung,” Zamora said.
She stressed that the trial remains in its early stages and that the prosecution has yet to complete its presentation of witnesses related to Article IV.
“Umpisa pa lang po ito,” Zamora said.
“Hindi pa po tapos ang pagpresenta ng mga witness patungkol sa Article IV o yung grave threats article,” she added.
Zamora said the prosecution is expected to present another NBI official when proceedings resume Monday.
“In the coming weeks, meron pa po tayong ibang witnesses, ang susunod naman po ay na-announce na at yun din po ay isa pang NBI official, yun po si Attorney Lotoc, which we will present on Monday,” she said.
She also urged the public to continue monitoring the trial.
“Sana po, subaybayan po ng ating public ang trial ng ating Vice President at marami pa po tayong mapupulot na kaalaman dito,” Zamora said.
Tolosa was also asked about the reported visit of Office of the Vice President Chief of Staff Atty. Zuleika Lopez to the Senate earlier in the day, which was described as related to administrative matters.
Tolosa said the prosecution was not privy to the meeting and that it would not affect its witness plans.
“We’re not privy to that meeting, what was discussed,” Tolosa said.
“Quite frankly, it has no significance to us so far as we’re concerned,” he added.
Tolosa said the prosecution had already asked the impeachment court to subpoena Lopez as one of its witnesses.
“We’ve already asked the impeachment court to issue a subpoena directing Atty. Zuleika Lopez to appear before the court as one of our witnesses,” Tolosa said.
“Our purpose for presenting her as a witness, what we intend to do during her presentation as witness, would not be affected by that occurrence this morning,” he added.
Gutierrez said the prosecution could not speculate on the Senate visit without knowing what was discussed, but said the trial should proceed without disruption.
“Without knowing exactly what the meeting was about, we can’t really comment on it,” Gutierrez said.
“We trust that the trial will be proceeding and the prosecution will be unaffected,” he added.
Asked about the voting threshold in the impeachment court, Tolosa said the prosecution is not treating the issue as its immediate focus.
“Our singular focus remains the same, which is to keep preparing for the presentation of our succeeding witnesses,” Tolosa said.
Zamora said the prosecution’s task at this stage is to present evidence on the Articles of Impeachment and follow the rulings of the court.
“The prosecution is not concerned about the voting threshold dahil ang business naman po ngayon ay i-present ang ebidensya na hawak po namin in relation to the four Articles of Impeachment,” Zamora said.
Gutierrez said the proceedings must continue moving forward now that the rules have been set.
“The rules are now set and it’s time for the evidence and the records to move now,” Gutierrez said.