Metro Manila, Philippines – Private prosecutor and spokesperson Jay Tolosa said it was the Senate Impeachment Court—not the prosecution—that raised the issue of an alternate presentation of evidence in the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte.
In a sudden press briefing minutes before the start of the impeachment trial proper on Wednesday, July 29, Tolosa said that Presiding Officer Chiz Escudero and senator-judge Win Gatchalian raised the matter with the prosecution and defense last week.
He said the panels were given until Monday to inform the Impeachment Court of their decision. Tolosa said the prosecution merely complied with the court’s directive to file its position on the matter.
In its submission, the prosecution agreed with the Impeachment Court’s proposal to allow the defense to present its evidence after the prosecution finishes presenting evidence on each article of impeachment, before the trial proceeds to the next article.
According to Tolosa, the defense disagreed with the proposal saying it violated the pre-trial order and due process considerations.
Meanwhile, the prosecution has begun its presentation of evidence for Impeachment Article I, on Duterte’s alleged misuse of confidential funds. Their first witness is former Landbank Manager Violeta Constantino.
