The Senate impeachment court said there is no assurance that the number of trial days in the impeachment proceedings against Vice President Sara Duterte will be reduced despite the prosecution’s decision to withdraw several witnesses for Article 4 of the impeachment complaint.
Impeachment Court spokesperson Atty. Reginald Tongol explained that any time saved from the shortened presentation of witnesses under one article could instead be used for the presentation of witnesses and evidence under the remaining articles of impeachment.
Tongol said the decision to reduce the number of witnesses is a matter of legal strategy by both the prosecution and the defense, noting that such practice is common in regular court proceedings when a party believes it has already sufficiently established its case.
The prosecution earlier announced that National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) Director Melvin Matibag would be its final witness for Article 4, which concerns the allegations that Vice President Duterte made grave threats against President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos, and former House Speaker Martin Romualdez.
Following the completion of Article 4, the impeachment court is expected to proceed to Article 1, which involves the alleged irregular use of the Vice President’s confidential and intelligence funds.
The prosecution has requested a total of 62 trial days to present its case, while the defense has asked for 30 trial days. Based on the proposed schedules, the impeachment trial is expected to run for approximately six months.
