Metro Manila, Philippines – Vice President Sara Duterte said on Wednesday, Aug. 19 she is hoping for a speedy impeachment trial, but stood pat against calls for her personal appearance if only to hasten proceedings.
Duterte shared her thoughts about the trial in a chance interview with the media in Zamboanga City.
“Dapat mabilis yung proseso kasi sa ating Constitution, nandiyan yung speedy administration,” she said.
[Translation: The process must be fast because the Constitution requires speedy administration.]
The vice president said her defense team is sufficient to represent her in the trial.
A number of prosecutors have dared Duterte to show up at the Impeachment Court. She has not attended the trial since it began on July 6.
“Hindi naman ako abogado para sa impeachment doon so wala akong matutulong doon sa proseso ng pag-present ng witness, cross-examine ng witness,” she said.
[Translation: I’m not part of the defense team so I cannot contribute in terms of presenting a witness or cross examining one.]
In a statement, House prosecutor Terry Ridon said the prosecution shares the same sentiment for a speedy trial.
“Sisikapin ng prosekusyon na maisalang ang lahat ng ebidensiya at testigo sa pinakamaaga at pinakamabilis na panahon, para makapagsalang na rin ang depensa ng kanilang mga ebidensiya at testigo, at sa dulo, makapagbigay na ng hatol ang korte,” he said.
[Translation: The prosecution will strive to present all its evidence and witnesses at the earliest and quickest possible time, so that the defense can likewise present its evidence and witnesses, and ultimately, the court can render its judgment.]
Changing trial schedule
Meanwhile, the prosecution backed the suggestion to move the trial schedule to 3 p.m to avoid delays.
Senator-judge Migz Zubiri floated the adjusted schedule, but Presiding Officer Chiz Escudero said the matter should be discussed in a caucus.
The proceedings are currently held Mondays to Wednesdays from mid-morning to mid-afternoon.
In a press briefing, prosecution counsel Lorna Kapunan said she prefers an afternoon schedule so testimonies are not cut short when the allotted time runs out.
“Ang mahirap kapag pinuputol ang testimony, lalo-lalo na kami as lawyers, naintindihan natin na kapag pinuputol ang testimony ng isang witness, lalo na isang hostile witness, e pwedeng i-coach, pwedeng sabihin ng mga lawyers na, ‘ba’t mo sinabi yun?’ Ito ang dapat mong sabihin,” she said, clarifying that she is not accusing the defense of coaching a witness.
[Translation: The difficulty when a testimony is cut short, especially for us as lawyers, is that we understand that when a witness’s testimony is interrupted—particularly that of a hostile witness ] the witness could be coached. The lawyers could tell the witness, “Why did you say that?” or “This is what you should say.”]
Prosecution panel adviser and spokesperson Ace Barbers suggested adding Fridays on the trial schedule.
“If we want to finish this as early as possible, siguro para hindi tayo abutin ng Pasko, eh siguro magdagdag ng isang araw,” he said.
[Translation: If we want to finish as early as possible, let’s add one more day so it won’t extend until Christmas.]
The trial has been suspended for two consecutive days due to nonstop rains.
