The House prosecution team could potentially fast-track Vice President Sara Duterte’s 92-day Senate trial by abandoning some of the four impeachment charges if they determine that the evidence already presented is strong enough to secure a conviction.
Manila 3rd District Representative Joel Chua, a member of the prosecution panel, indicated that the team has the option to skip certain allegations once they feel they have built an airtight case.
“For example, apat na artikulo ‘yan, pagkatapos ng dalawa o tatlong artikulo, sa tingin namin matibay na matibay na ‘yung aming naipakita, pupwede na nesting i-waive ang isa o dalawang artikulo,” Chua stated during a televised interview on the Bilyonaryo News Channel (BNC).
“Sabihin namin na iwini-waive namin ‘to at pwede na desisyunan base dun sa dalawa o tatlong artikulo na aming iprinisenta,” he added.
Trial Timeline Adjustments
The impeachment court previously set a 92-day trial schedule, allocating 62 days to the prosecution and 30 days to the defense. According to Chua, the prosecution’s 62-day estimate was based on their preliminary witness list and remains flexible.
“So ‘yung mga inilalatag namin, ‘yung mga sinabi namin na 62 trial days, eh ‘yun ‘yung proposal base sa mga witnesses na ipipresenta. Pero ito naman ay ma-sho-shorten pa,” the Manila lawmaker explained.
“Dahil wala namang may gusto ng protracted trial dahil siyempre ayaw natin na tumagal ‘to,” he pointed out.
Current Status of the Case
Currently, the prosecution is wrapping up its presentation on the first article of impeachment. This charge focuses on allegations that Duterte made grave threats targeting President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos, and former House Speaker Martin Romualdez.
To close out their arguments on this first charge, National Bureau of Investigation Director Melvin Matibag is scheduled to testify on Tuesday, July 21.
The prosecution hopes to transition to the second article by Wednesday. This next phase will tackle the alleged misappropriation of ₱612.5 million in confidential funds under the Office of the Vice President and the Department of Education, which Duterte headed from 2022 to 2024.