By Benjamin Cuaresma
MANILA — Members of the House prosecution panel believe the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte may conclude well ahead of earlier projections, citing a streamlined presentation of evidence and the possibility that the defense may opt not to present its own witnesses.
Speaking during a press briefing, Manila Rep. Joel Chua, one of the House prosecutors, said the previously cited 17-month timetable was merely based on the number of hearing dates initially requested by both parties and should not be interpreted as the actual duration of the proceedings.
Chua explained that the prosecution has already narrowed the list of witnesses it intends to present, saying only those considered essential to proving the charges will be called to testify.
He noted that for Article IV of the Articles of Impeachment, the prosecution has decided to drop several witnesses after concluding that the evidence already presented is sufficient to establish its case. Following the testimony of NBI Director Melvin Matibag, the prosecution expects to complete its presentation for that article.
According to Chua, the Senate Impeachment Court may also accelerate the proceedings by allowing multiple witnesses to testify in a single hearing when circumstances permit.
He added that another factor that could significantly shorten the trial is the possibility that the defense may choose not to present evidence or witnesses of its own.
Prosecution counsel Lorna Kapunan said previous statements from Duterte’s legal team suggested that they might rely on the constitutional presumption of innocence instead of presenting affirmative evidence to rebut the charges.
If that strategy is adopted, Kapunan said the proceedings could conclude much sooner than originally anticipated.
She added that having the prosecution present all four impeachment articles before the defense begins its case would allow the public to evaluate the evidence already on record before determining whether the defense intends to rebut it.
Kapunan also rejected suggestions that the prosecution has been responsible for the slow pace of the trial, pointing out that cross-examinations conducted by the defense have consumed much of the hearing time.
She noted that the prosecution’s direct examinations have generally been brief, while questioning by defense lawyers has significantly extended the proceedings.
The impeachment trial has completed six hearing days, with much of the presentation so far focused on Article IV, which concerns allegations that Duterte made threats against President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos, and former House Speaker Martin Romualdez.
To streamline its case, the prosecution has withdrawn several previously listed witnesses, including representatives from the Philippine National Police Firearms and Explosives Office, two journalists who covered Duterte’s controversial November 2024 online briefing, a former sheriff, a psychiatrist, and a relative of an alleged threat victim.
Earlier, the prosecution also removed Office of the Vice President Chief of Staff Zuleika Lopez and House Legislative Security Bureau officer Capt. Belinda Bello from its witness list, saying their proposed testimonies would merely duplicate evidence already presented before the impeachment court.
ia/xf
