Sara Duterte impeachment trial: Prosecution defers second witness presentation

In the ongoing impeachment trial of Philippine Vice President Sara Duterte, the prosecution team decided to defer the presentation of its second witness, National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) Regional Director Jeremy Lotoc, to July 13. Public prosecutor Bel Zamora stated that the decision was a matter of "strategy." "It is evening, and we do not want to waste everyone's time. Of course, once it starts, it will go on and on, and we do not want that. I am sure Attorney Lotoc will be there on Monday and will be able to answer all the questions that will be propounded by both parties and the senator-judges," Zamora said. Lotoc had already been subpoenaed by the court on the opening day, Monday, July 6, alongside NBI Special Agent John Mark Calilung, the first prosecution witness. Calilung testified that he had authenticated Duterte's alleged kill threat against President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. The prosecution also chose to forgo conducting a redirect examination of Calilung. "We heard the questions propounded by the defense to John Mark Calilung, which we believe were sufficiently answered by him, that's why we decided not to conduct redirect examination anymore," Zamora explained. For next week, the prosecution's witness lineup includes Lotoc, Office of the Vice President chief of staff Zuleika Lopez, and NBI chief Melvin Matibag. Lopez and Matibag have also been subpoenaed by the impeachment court. This impeachment trial marks a significant juncture in Philippine political dynamics, potentially impacting the vice presidency and the relationship with the president. Amid pressing issues like the South China Sea and economic policies, the stability of domestic politics is under scrutiny.