Senator Pangilinan says impeachment court has not discussed date for verdict

Senator-judge Kiko Pangilinan disputed the remark saying the impeachment court could reach a verdict by December 16. He explained the court has yet to discuss or set such a timeline.

Pangilinan’s statement came after impeachment court spokesperson Regie Tongol earlier said the Senate, sitting as an impeachment court, could potentially reach a verdict by December 16, following the presentation of evidence and arguments by both the prosecution and defense.

“The Impeachment Court has yet to formally or informally discuss this and has yet to decide on the timetable/timeline of the trial more so a verdict date of December 16,” Pangilinan said in a Facebook post.

He also stressed that Tongol does not have the authority to speak for the court on matters that have not been formally decided.

“This verdict date is merely the opinion of the spokesperson. As Senator Judge, I do not share the opinion of the spokesperson. He has no authority to issue his personal opinions on the Court’s behalf,” he added.

Tongol had initially estimated that the House prosecution could complete its presentation of evidence by next week.

The impeachment court suspended one trial day last week for what was described as a strategic pause, while another session was shortened after Presiding Officer Francis “Chiz” Escudero deferred the testimony of an Anti-Money Laundering Council (AMLC) witness to Monday.

Tongol, however, said the proceedings had not fallen behind schedule because a full trial day is counted as two sessions.