Metro Manila, Philippines – The prosecution panel in the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte targets to finish its presentation of evidence in the alleged misuse of confidential funds within the month, a House member said on Monday, August 3.
Manila Rep. Joel Chua, the lead prosecutor for the fund misuse case, said the timetable aims to avoid delays in the proceedings.
This is shorter than the original 31 trial days – equivalent to over two months – that the prosecution team planned to present evidence on Article I in the pre-trial order issued by the Impeachment Court.
“Maaaring magbawas kami ng testigo kung nakikita naman namin na sapat na ang aming naiprisinta without sacrificing ang ebidensya,” he told reporters in a press briefing.
[Translation: We might reduce witnesses if we see that what we presented is enough without sacrificing our evidence.]
For instance, Chua said he personally does not see the need to still present the alias Mary Grace Piattos, the identified beneficiary of Duterte’s confidential funds as seen in a number of acknowledgment receipts presented to the court.
READ: Mary Grace Piattos, Renan Piatos, Andy Lim in OVP confidential fund receipts
The Philippine Statistics Authority previously said it had no records of the alias.
“Kung eto ay makadagdag lamang, ‘yung pag-presenta kay Mary Grace Piattos kung makadagdag lamang ng araw, ng delay, personally hindi ko po masasagot kung ano ang magiging decision ng buong team, but ako personally hindi na kinakailangan,” Chua said.
[Translation: If presenting Mary Grace Piattos would only contribute to more days and delay, my personal take: it is not needed. But I cannot preempt what will be the decision of the prosecution team.]
Lanao del Sur 1st district Rep. Zia Adiong, prosecution spokesperson, said reports from the Commission on Audit alone already pointed to the mishandling of funds.
Meanwhile, Jay Tolosa, private prosecutor and spokesperson said, there is no decision yet to drop any of the allegations in a bid to hasten the trial.
“Ang intensyon namin tuloy ang pagpresenta ng ebidensya tungkol sa four articles of impeachment,” he said.
[Translation: Our intention is to continue presenting evidence on the four Articles of Impeachment.]
Tolosa said while surveys indicating public opinion are considered ‘listening tools,” he said it cannot be the sole basis of deciding on the progress of the case.
A non-commissioned survey by OCTA Research said Article III – which touches on bribery allegations – is the most serious charge viewed by four in 10 respondents.
