VP impeach pre-trial starts; no decision yet on Chiz

MANILA, Philippines, June 19 ------ The ball has started rolling ahead of the July 6 start of the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte, with both defense and prosecution panels facing each other at yesterday’s pre-trial conference at the Senate.

A pre-trial conference, like any court procedure, involves the stipulation of facts, the marking of evidence and identification of witnesses, and the setting of trial dates. It is intended to ensure an orderly trial proper and prevent the presentation of surprise witnesses. Senate President Sherwin Gatchalian, meanwhile, said they have yet to discuss who would preside over Duterte’s impeachment trial, amid reports that Sen. Francis Escudero has been designated as presiding judge. “Right now as it stands, I will preside,” Gatchalian said at a briefing yesterday. Sen. Panfilo Lacson earlier said the majority bloc would choose Escudero for the job.

Gatchalian also said the Sandiganbayan’s 90-day preventive suspension on Sen. Jinggoy Estrada would bar him from functioning as impeachment trial judge during the suspension period. At yesterday’s pre-trial conference, Duterte’s legal team spokesman Michael Poa denied there was a tense moment between the parties. But if there had been one, it would be expected, Poa said. “Arguments are normal in such a pre-trial and we were able to settle it,” Poa said. “As you know, we conducted markings, stipulations, etc., we will just submit our observations, including what we will admit, what we will not admit,” he added.

Poa said they were able to finish yesterday the marking of documents for Article III for direct bribery and Article IV for death threats and live-streamed seditious remarks against President Marcos, First Lady Liza Marcos, and Rep. Martin Romualdez. He also said the pre-trial conference did not touch on evidence and both parties “found ways to expedite the proceedings.” The pre-trial will resume on Monday to complete the marking of documents. Members of the prosecution panel led by Batangas Rep. Gerville Luistro declined to be interviewed about the outcome of the marking.

Source: philstar.com