Impeachment Trial Proceedings Under Review for Expediting Process

The House prosecution team is discussing ways to expedite the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte, including possibly dropping the Article on alleged bribery in the Department of Education and re-evaluating the list of succeeding witnesses. This was disclosed by lead prosecutor Representative Gerville Luistro of Batangas in an ambush interview with reporters on Thursday. Luistro confirmed that the bribery article is part of their discussions but no official stand has been made yet on whether to drop it. "So, concerning that article on bribery, I can only confirm that's part of our discussions. But no official stand yet kung ida-drop ba o hindi," she said. When asked about the factors the prosecution team will consider, Luistro replied, "Well, we will look at what we have already presented, if we are satisfied, if we have established the facts which we want to be established. And the importance of the articles." She emphasized that all four Articles of Impeachment are "equally strong." "So lahat sila ay malakas, lahat sila ay strong, but we have this confidential fund already na pertaining to both the OVP [Office of the Vice President] and the DepEd. Siguro we focus on something else," she stated. Luistro also said they are considering the timeline and the impact of a prolonged trial. "We do not want to drag this impeachment trial too much because we understand that somehow, it is affecting Filipinos' lives and even the focus of the parties concerned. As for one, the prosecutors, the senator-judges, and even the defense," she said. "We heard the presiding officer when he said they are challenged considering that three important functions are being addressed by the Senate at the same time: yung kanilang regular legislation, yung budget hearing for next year of course, and itong impeachment trial. So, we are considering that as part of the government. We do not want to spend too much time on this impeachment trial," she added. To expedite proceedings, Luistro suggested that the defense accept the prosecution's stipulations. "We are always offering stipulations to shorten the presentation of witnesses for the prosecution. Only they sometimes refuse to agree even to common exhibits. That's why it's taking longer," she explained. Information Source: GMA News Philippines