Sara Duterte impeachment trial: Pre-trial order outlines schedule, witnesses

MANILA, Philippines – The pre-trial order for the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte has been released. Here is what the document, a copy of which was obtained by Rappler from two reliable sources, contains. Trial dates It is official: the trial will start on July 6 at 2 pm, and will run from Monday to Wednesday until July 27. Beginning July 28, the trial runs Tuesday to Thursday at 3 pm. The prosecution will have 62 trial dates, broken down as follows in chronological order: Presentation of impeachment article on apparent threats by Duterte to the life of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr: 11 trial dates Presentation of impeachment article on misuse of confidential funds: 31 trial dates Presentation of impeachment article on bribery: 8 trial dates Presentation of impeachment article on unexplained wealth: 12 trial dates “The above order of presentation shall be maintained unless modified by the prosecution through a manifestation and subject to the approval of the Impeachment Court,” the pre-trial order read, a copy of which was obtained by Rappler. Witnesses The Senate clerk of court adopted the list of witnesses of both the prosecution and the defense, without erasing any name. The prosecution has 57 witnesses, while the defense has 96. Common witnesses include: Dutete’s alleged bagman Ramil Madriaga House of Representatives Legislative Archives and Museum Management Service Director Marivic Pareja National Bureau of Investigation chief Melvin Matibag Caroline Moldez-Pitoy, questioned documents division chief of NBI Assistant National Statistician Marizza Grande State Auditor Gloria Camora Former Department of Budget and Management secretary Amenah Pangandaman Ombudsman Boying Remulla Anti-Money Laundering Council Executive Director Ronel Buenaventura Former senator Antonio Trillanes IV Securities and Exchange Commission director Gerardo del Rosario Former Department of Education undersecretary Gloria Jumamil-Mercado NBI cybercrime division investigation agent John Mark Calilung Senior NBI agent Jeremy Lotoc Representatives from Commission on Audit Representatives from the Land Transportation Office Representatives from the Civil Service Commission Other notable names on the prosecution’s list of witnesses has been retained, such as sheriff Abe Andres whom Duterte punched when she was mayor, to the infamous Mary Grace Piattos, a signatory in one of the Office of the Vice President’s (OVP) confidential fund receipts. “The examination of witnesses shall be conducted in open court, unless otherwise ordered by the Impeachment Court,” the order read. “The testimony of the witness shall be completed on the scheduled date of hearing allotted to said witness under the one-day examination of witness rule. The Court however has the discretion to extend the direct and/or cross-examination of witnesses for good cause shown,” it added. Marking of evidence The pre-trial order also indicated that the clerk of court can still schedule additional dates for the marking of evidence. Other matters The use of English and Filipino languages shall be used in the trial. The prosecution is directed to disclose by July 3 the names of its witnesses for July 6, in accordance with the rule to disclose witnesses three days prior to their presentation before the impeachment court. What pre-trial order didn’t say The pre-trial order, signed by impeachment court presiding officer and senator-judge Win Gatchalian, is silent on the following points that the prosecution and defense cannot agree on: how the Bureau of Internal Revenue box containing Duterte’s tax records will be opened whether private prosecutors will be allowed to examine witnesses – Rappler.com