VP Duterte impeachment pre-trial may run until Thursday amid volume of evidence

The pre-trial proceedings for the impeachment case against Vice President Sara Duterte could continue until Thursday as both the prosecution and defense work through a large number of documents that must be marked before the trial proper.

Speaking on Monday, June 22, defense spokesperson Michael Poa said the parties remain in the evidence-marking stage, where documents are identified and labeled for future use during the proceedings.

“Nasa marking pa rin tayo. Marami talagang mga dokumento. We’re anticipating na baka umabot tayo ng Thursday,” Poa said.

Poa also explained the possibility of extending the pre-trial process remains within the timetable set by the impeachment court, noting that the original schedule spans from June 18 to June 25.

“Yung unang schedule ng pre-trial, talagang from June 18 to 25 siya,” Poa added.

He said the records currently being reviewed are tied to the Articles of Impeachment, particularly those concerning the alleged misuse of confidential funds and questions surrounding alleged unexplained wealth.

Among the materials being marked are Commission on Audit (COA) reports, acknowledgement receipts, Statements of Assets, Liabilities, and Net Worth (SALNs), as well as other documents that had previously been presented before the House Committee on Justice.

“Several documents talaga. Lahat naman from COA reports, acknowledgment receipts, SALN. Hindi na ito bago kasi nai-present na ito sa Committee on Justice pero siyempre dito, mina-mark kasi natin yan,” he said.

Poa said both camps are aiming to wrap up the pre-trial proceedings as quickly as possible so they can focus on preparing for the impeachment trial itself.

Still, he acknowledged that the number of documents involved has made the process more time-consuming.

“But just with the voluminous documents, I think we’re looking at Thursday,” he said, noting that the pre-trial proceedings would continue this week.

Poa also clarified that the marking of evidence does not mean the defense is accepting the validity or admissibility of any documents submitted by the prosecution. He explained that the procedure serves only to identify exhibits in advance so they can be easily referenced once the trial begins.

“Marking really is for identification purposes, para pagdating sa trial, madali na naming ma-identify kung anong exhibit yun”, Poa said.

“Walang admission dito, walang admission of authenticity, o admissibility ng document itself. Ito ay purely for identification purposes lamang”, Poa said.

Once pre-trial proceedings are completed, the impeachment court is expected to move on to the presentation and examination of evidence.

Duterte’s impeachment trial is set to begin on July 6, with the Senate convening as the impeachment court.