The impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte is running about two to three days behind schedule, with the prosecution yet to present most of its witnesses, impeachment court spokesperson Atty. Regie Tongol said Wednesday.

Tongol said the prosecution was allotted 31 days to present its case under Article 1, but it has yet to reach the midpoint of its planned 27 witnesses.

“Medyo in a way delayed na tayo ngayon,” Tongol said during an online press briefing.

Based on the court’s original schedule, the trial should have reached around the ninth or 10th prosecution witness by now. Instead, it is only expected to be around the sixth witness.

Tongol said the delay was caused not only by the cancellation of trial sessions due to inclement weather but also by witnesses taking longer than expected to complete their presentations.

He cited the recent testimonies of Commission on Audit State Auditor Roderick Wamil and COA-Internal Fraud and Audit Office auditor Xylene Mae del Campo, whose presentations each lasted about three days.

The court had initially adopted a “one witness, one day” rule, with a maximum of two days allotted per witness.

However, Wamil and Del Campo each took three days, further pushing back the trial schedule.

“Talagang humaba sila to three days, so talagang nabagalan tayo ng konti sa ating number of days na pinlot,” Tongol said.

Despite the delay, Tongol said there is no immediate concern that the trial schedule will be significantly disrupted.

He said the prosecution’s allotted days could simply be extended, which would reduce or push back the number of days originally set aside for the defense.

Tongol also said the court is considering whether to hold additional trial sessions on Thursdays, Fridays or Saturdays to make up for canceled hearings.

He said Senate President Sherwin Gatchalian and impeachment court presiding officer Francis “Chiz” Escudero could either opt for additional sessions or allow the trial to continue under the existing schedule and add more days toward the end.

“That is always under consideration and advisement,” Tongol said.

He added that the court could also wait and see whether the parties decide to drop some witnesses, which could help offset the delay.

“For all we know, baka maglaglag din ng ilang witnesses yung mga parties,” Tongol said.

The impeachment trial has faced several canceled or suspended sessions due to several typhoon and habagat rains as the court continues to hear the prosecution’s case against Duterte.