Metro Manila, Philippines – The House prosecution panel will continue reviewing its witness list and may drop more witnesses in the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte to achieve a speedy trial, House lead prosecutor Gerville Luistro said.
In an interview with NewsWatch Plus on Friday, July 17, Luistro said the panel plans to reassess its witness lineup after presenting two to three witnesses on Article I, which covers alleged misuse of confidential funds.
“Siguro ‘pag naka two to three witnesses sa confidential fund we will be able to assess if there is a chance na mabawasan yung aming witnesses,” Luistro said.
[Translation: After two or three witnesses on the confidential funds issue, we’ll be able to assess whether we can further reduce the number of witnesses.]
Article I has the largest number of prosecution witnesses and will last for 31 trial days beginning July 22.
The prosecution earlier withdrew several witnesses, including Duterte’s chief of staff Zuleika Lopez, after determining that their testimonies would be unnecessary, repetitive, and a surplusage in proving the grave threats charge.
Luistro said the panel intends to make similar assessments for the remaining impeachment articles to help expedite the proceedings, with the hopes of finishing proceedings before Christmas.
“If there are reasons to make it earlier, it would be better,” Luistro said, adding that both Duterte and the public have a right to a speedy trial.
Duterte’s attendance
Counsel for the prosecution Lorna Kapunan had earlier said the panel would seek Duterte’s appearance during the presentation of evidence on the grave threats article. However, that has yet to happen, with National Bureau of Investigation Director Melvin Matibag set to be the prosecution’s final witness on that article on Tuesday.
Luistro said it remains uncertain whether the prosecution will ask Duterte to testify.
“The action of the prosecution and even the defense entirely depends on the exigency of the trial,” Luistro said, explaining that the panel may dispense with witnesses if earlier testimony has already sufficiently established an allegation.
“So whether the prosecution will call the Vice President to testify will depend on how the trial unfolds,” Luistro added.
