Defense, prosecution eye per-article presentation to hasten impeach trial

MANILA, Philippines —  The prosecution and defense panels in the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte are discussing a proposal to present their evidence article by article instead of completing the prosecution’s entire case before the defense begins, a move Senate President Sherwin Gatchalian said could speed up proceedings.

According to Gatchalian, the two camps are considering finishing both the prosecution and defense presentations on each Article of Impeachment before moving to the next charge.

“Instead of completing all the prosecution’s articles and then returning to the defense later, they are talking about completing both sides’ presentations for each article,” Gatchalian said in an interview over dzMM yesterday.?

He said the proposal is still subject to the agreement of both parties, with a decision expected next week. Gatchalian said the change could make the trial more efficient and easier for the public to follow.

He noted that under the original sequence, the prosecution would finish presenting evidence on all impeachment articles before the defense begins its case, meaning the parties would revisit Article IV several months later.

“If they finish both sides’ presentations per article, I think the proceedings will move faster because the issues raised by the prosecution can immediately be addressed by the defense instead of going back after several months,” he said.

The Senate impeachment court this week finished hearing evidence on Article IV, which accuses Duterte of making grave threats against President Marcos, First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos and former House speaker Martin Romualdez.

On the resumption of the impeachment trial on July 29, the court will be hearing the evidence on Article I for alleged misuse, misappropriation and mismanagement of confidential funds.?

Gatchalian also said the trial has become more efficient after the initial adjustment period. He noted that the prosecution had already withdrawn five witnesses, trimming about five days from the schedule.