The House prosecution panel on Monday announced that they have received National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) Director Atty. Melvin Matibag’s request to move his appearance before the impeachment court to an earlier date, which is currently under deliberation.

Prosecution panel Spokesperson Atty. Benjamin Tolosa Jr. said they may raise the matter before the court this afternoon.

“We received that yesterday, the notice sent by Director Matibag. We’re currently discussing how we could accommodate his request, para of course, we need to consider his schedule as well. So maybe we will see if, in the hearing this afternoon, it’s already something that we will raise to the court,” Tolosa told reporters during a press conference.

“Kung kakailanganin po na magkaroon ng kaunting adjustment doon sa order of witnesses na ipe-present namin… Under deliberation (‘yan), at maaaring i-raise sa impeachment court sa pagdinig ngayong hapon,” he added.

In an earlier interview, House prosecutor and San Juan Rep. Ysabel Maria Zamora said the prosecution is ready to present at least two witnesses a day. Tolosa clarified that the number of witnesses to be examined in a day will depend on the flow of proceedings.

“Depende po kung gaano katagal abutin sa kanyang (witness) direct examination, cross-examination, or if necessary, kung magko-conduct pa kami ng redirect (examination), (at) sila po ay puwedeng magre-cross,” the lawyer said.

In a letter, Matibag asked prosecutors to reschedule his testimony due to an official overseas commitment.

The bureau director told Lead Prosecutor Gerville Luistro that he is prepared to appear before the Senate court on or before July 20, as he will be attending the inaugural Regional Summit on Scam Center Compounds and Transnational Organized Crime to be held in Bangkok, Thailand, from July 21 through 22.