The Senate impeachment court is set to decide next week on whether to issue subpoenas to three executives from the Land Bank of the Philippines as the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte moves forward.
This development was shared by Senate President Francis “Chiz” Escudero, the trial’s presiding officer, prior to wrapping up the sixth day of the proceedings on Wednesday.
During the trial, prosecution panel member Rep. Gerville Luistro of Batangas’ 2nd District named the individuals the House intends to call to the stand when the trial resumes on Monday, July 20.
The lineup features Legislative Archives and Museum Management Service Director Marivic Pareja, Landbank Shaw Boulevard Branch Manager Violeta Constantino, Landbank Department of Education Branch Manager Nenita Camposano, and Landbank President and CEO Lynette Ortiz.
Luistro likewise disclosed that the prosecution has decided to withdraw several witnesses previously lined up for Article IV of the impeachment complaint, which includes Vice President Duterte’s chief of staff, Atty. Zuleika Lopez.
Other witnesses removed from the roster include a representative from the Philippine National Police Firearms and Explosives Office, journalists Mikhail Flores and Bonz Magsambol, Sheriff Abe Andes, an unnamed psychiatrist, and a relative of an individual who was allegedly threatened.
Additionally, Escudero noted that the court will resolve outstanding concerns regarding the oral arguments from both legal teams, following discussions among the senator-judges.
“In caucus, the senator-judges agreed to be given time to study the matter more, given that not everyone has actually completed reading the memoranda given by the parties and given that they want more time to look into the complicated issues involved in the issuance of subpoena,” Escudero said.
“The senator-judges agreed in caucus to decide on the matter on Monday, and that on Monday, senator-judges who wish to ask the parties will be afforded the time to ask these questions again on both sides,” he further said.
Meanwhile, National Bureau of Investigation Director Melvin Matibag is scheduled to testify on behalf of the prosecution during the Tuesday session on July 21.
Before the adjournment, Escudero made it clear that the Vice President’s defense lawyers will only begin laying out their case once the House prosecutors have fully rested their primary evidence for all articles of impeachment.