Presentation of evidence in VP Duterte impeachment trial expected to take 92 days

The presentation of evidence in Vice President Sara Duterte's impeachment trial is expected to stretch across 92 trial days, based on the timetable submitted by both the prosecution and defense during the pre-trial process.

Senate Secretary and Impeachment Clerk of Court Renato Bantug said the prosecution estimated it would need 62 trial days to complete its presentation of evidence, while the defense projected it would require another 30 trial days.

“What the parties committed on record is that the prosecution will take around 62 trial days and the defense 30 trial days,” Bantug said in an interview in the Senate on Thursday.

He explained that the figures represent the amount of time each side believes it will need to present its evidence before the impeachment court.

“That’s their presentation period, that’s their projection of the trial days that they need in order to complete the presentation of evidence,” he added.

The estimates came after both parties participated in a pre-trial conference, a procedure intended to streamline the proceedings by resolving preliminary matters before the trial begins. The conference, which opened on June 18, formally concluded on Thursday.

With the pre-trial phase completed, the Senate impeachment court is now expected to issue a pre-trial order that will lay out the framework and schedule for the impeachment trial.

The trial proper is set to begin on July 6, with hearings scheduled every Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday, according to Bantug.

Duterte is facing an impeachment complaint accusing her of culpable violation of the Constitution, graft and corruption, bribery, betrayal of public trust, and other high crimes.

-Paraluman News