HOUSE PROSECUTION PANEL: NO MORE OBSTACLES TO JULY 6 VP SARA IMPEACHMENT TRIAL

THE House prosecution panel on Friday declared that the successful completion of pre-trial proceedings has removed any remaining obstacle to the July 6 start of the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Z. Duterte.

House impeachment trial spokesperson Lanao del Sur Rep. Zia Alonto Adiong said the completion of the pre-trial conference marks a major milestone in the proceedings.

“Ang pagtatapos po ng pre-trial conference ay isang malaking hudyat na wala pong maaaring hadlang sa pag-umpisa ng actual impeachment trial sa nalalapit na July 6 na naaayon sa ating Saligang Batas,” Alonto Adiong said in a press briefing.

Alonto Adiong said the prosecution is now preparing to submit its comments following the conclusion of the pre-trial conference.

Legal spokesperson attorney Benjamin “Jay” Tolosa Jr. said the prosecution completed five days of pre-trial proceedings from June 18 and June 22 to 25, allowing the impeachment case to move forward as scheduled.

“The good news is that with the completion of the pre-trial proceedings, the impeachment trial is now set to commence on July 6,” Tolosa declared.

During the pre-trial proceedings, both parties completed the marking of documentary exhibits, identified witnesses, submitted proposed stipulations, and made the necessary manifestations in preparation for trial.

Tolosa said the prosecution welcomed the completion of the proceedings because it allows the constitutional process to continue.

The lawyer said “we welcome this important milestone because it allows the constitutional process to move forward and gives the Filipino people the opportunity to hear the evidence, examine the facts, and know the truth through a fair, transparent, and orderly trial.”

He also thanked the Secretariat of the Senate impeachment court for helping both sides complete the extensive pre-trial process despite the volume of documentary evidence.

“We express our sincere appreciation to the Secretariat of the Impeachment Court for its guidance and accommodations that it extended to both parties, which enabled us to complete this extensive process despite the thousands of documentary exhibits involved, particularly those relating to the articles of impeachment, unexplained wealth, and confidential funds,” Tolosa said.

The Senate impeachment court concluded the pre-trial conference Thursday after resolving procedural matters ahead of the formal presentation of evidence on July 6.

With 10 days remaining before the trial opens, Alonto Adiong said the senator-judges will soon begin hearing and evaluating the evidence from both the prosecution and the defense in accordance with due process.

“Sampung araw na lang po ang natitira upang ang Senado na uupong hukom ay maririnig, makikita, at masusuri ang ebidensya ng bawat panig na naaayon sa prinsipyo ng due process,” he said.

Alonto Adiong said the prosecution remains committed to presenting the truth before both the impeachment court and the Filipino people.

“Ang taumbayan po ay nakikinig, nagbabantay, at nagmamatyag. Deserve nila ang katotohanan at pawang katotohanan lamang. At iyan po ang panata ng prosecution team. Ang ilatag ang katotohanan at pawang katotohanan lamang sa sambayanang Pilipino sa nalalapit na paglilitis kay Vice President Sara Duterte,” he said.