End of Sara Duterte impeachment trial 'possible' in November, says prosecution - GMA Network

The impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte could wrap up by the end of November if the defense presents its evidence within 10 full trial days, House lead prosecutor and Batangas Rep. Gerville Luistro said.

In a statement, Luistro raised the possibility after the House prosecution panel on October 13 dropped three of the four Articles of Impeachment against Duterte, which covered allegations of misuse of confidential funds, bribery and grave threats.

The defense team had originally sought 30 trial days to present its evidence on all four Articles of Impeachment under the pretrial order.

“Posible po na matapos ito bago ang katapusan ng Nobyembre,” Luistro said.

(It’s possible that the trial will conclude before the end of November.)

“We have reason to believe na ito pong 30 trial days na ito ay malaki ang mababawas. Sana kalahati na lang o sampu na lang,” she added.

(We have reason to believe that these 30 trial days will be significantly reduced. Hopefully, only half or 10 days will be needed.)

Luistro, however, said the final trial schedule would remain subject to the approval of the Senate impeachment court and the number of witnesses the defense intends to present.

If the defense requires more than the expected 10 full trial days, the proceedings could extend into December.

“But at any rate, we are all hoping and praying na sana naman bago mag-Pasko ay tapos na ang impeachment trial na ito para magkaroon tayo ng closure, and we can all move on,” Luistro said.

(But at any rate, we are all hoping and praying that the impeachment trial will be over before Christmas so we can have closure, and we can all move on.)

The impeachment trial is currently suspended to give way to Senate committee deliberations on the proposed 2027 national budget.

The Senate impeachment court is scheduled to reconvene on November 9 at 10 a.m.

Luistro also said the defense could resort to dilatory tactics when the trial resumes, such as filing a demurrer to evidence or insisting on presenting evidence related to the three Articles of Impeachment that the prosecution had withdrawn.

“But our position on that is, kung iniurong na ang habla, kung wala nang sakdal, kung wala nang allegations, for what adjudicatory purpose will the presentation of the defense's evidence serve?” Luistro said in an online interview with GMA News' Sandra Aguinaldo.

(But our position on this is, if the charges have been withdrawn and there are no longer any accusations or allegations, what adjudicatory purpose would the presentation of the defense's evidence serve?)

“Wala nang kailangang sagutin, wala nang kailangang dipensahan, wala nang dahilan to present evidence with respect to the three articles withdrawn already,” she added.

(There is nothing left to answer, nothing left to defend against. There is no longer any reason to present evidence regarding the three articles that have already been withdrawn.)

Luistro said the defense might also attempt to raise matters concerning the dropped articles during the proceedings, but the prosecution would oppose such moves.

“Bagaman prerogative nila 'yan to file the proper remedy they believe will be appropriate given the situation, we're really hoping na mag-proceed sila sa presentation of evidence,” Luistro said.

(Although it is their prerogative to seek the appropriate remedy they believe is warranted under the circumstances, we are really hoping they will proceed with the presentation of evidence.)

With the decision to drop three Articles of Impeachment, the prosecution will pursue only Article II, which concerns allegations that Duterte failed to fully declare her assets and divest from business interests, raising questions about her unexplained wealth.

Defense lead counsel Sheila Sison earlier said the move would not affect the defense panel's presentation of evidence, stressing that Duterte should still be allowed to address allegations already presented before the impeachment court.

“That prerogative to withdraw an accusation is not the power to suppress its rebuttal on the part of the respondent. The authority to streamline, or to achieve speed in a trial, is not the authority to diminish due process, or to altogether disregard fundamental rules of fairness," Sison said.

"And the desire to reach a verdict expeditiously can never justify reaching it unfairly,” she added.— MCG, GMA News

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