MANILA, Philippines — The House prosecution panel said Sunday it was prepared to revise the schedule, reduce its witness list and coordinate with the defense to speed up Vice President Sara Duterte’s impeachment trial while preserving due process.
The trial entered its eighth week amid weather-related cancellations, lengthy witness examinations and disputes between the prosecution and defense. The impeachment court originally allotted 92 hearing days for the proceedings.
Manila Rep. Joel Chua, a member of the prosecution team, said the panel aims to finish presenting its case by September and would recalibrate its schedule after losing two hearing days to heavy monsoon rains.
The prosecution also supported a proposal to hold hearings from 2:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. or longer, allowing the Senate to conduct legislative sessions in the morning.
Sen. Panfilo Lacson said the Senate majority bloc had agreed to move the impeachment trial to the afternoon.
“We want to speed up the trial but not sacrifice the substance we intend to present,” Chua said in a radio interview.
The impeachment court canceled hearings on Aug. 18 and 19 as torrential rains affected the country. The cancellations delayed the prosecution’s questioning of Gina Acosta, a former special disbursing officer at the Office of the Vice President who had been declared a hostile witness.
Chua said prosecutors could also remove witnesses whose testimony would duplicate evidence already presented. The panel has already dropped several witnesses while presenting allegations involving grave threats.
The same approach could apply to the first impeachment article, which accuses Duterte of misusing P612.5 million in confidential funds in 2022 and 2023. Prosecutors could proceed to the allegation involving unexplained wealth once they determine that they have sufficiently established their case.
The court has used 16 of the 92 allotted trial days since proceedings began July 6.
Duterte called for a speedy trial last week, saying prolonged proceedings could leave the public questioning the validity of the accusations against her.
House prosecution spokesperson Benjamin Tolosa Jr. said the panel shared Duterte’s desire to complete the proceedings quickly but stressed that speed should not deprive either side of the opportunity to present evidence.
Lanao del Sur Rep. Zia Alonte Adiong also said prosecutors wanted a speedy trial while maintaining due process.
The prosecution has urged Duterte to attend the proceedings personally, particularly after Acosta testified that Duterte instructed her to release P125 million in confidential funds to her security chief, Col. Raymund Lachica. The defense has challenged Acosta’s testimony and credibility.
Tolosa also pointed to actions that prosecutors said contributed to delays, including the defense’s scheduling of the review of more than 4,000 acknowledgment receipts on Aug. 14 despite an earlier court order requiring the exercise to be completed before Aug. 10.
Senate impeachment court spokesperson Reginald Tongol urged the public to remain patient and focus on the evidence and legal arguments rather than the trial schedule.
Tongol said the court can expedite proceedings when both parties cooperate, citing its decision to excuse House Archives Director Marivic Pareja after the defense agreed to the authenticity and regularity of documents she was called to authenticate.
“Shortening and expediting of proceedings depend on both parties,” Tongol said.
