The Senate is ready for Sara's impeachment trial as preparations enter the final stage
The Senate is ready for the trial of Vice President Sara Duterte-Carpio, said Senate President Sherwin T. Gatchalian on Tuesday, as preparations enter the final stage with the inspection of security systems and the venue for the trial, which will begin on July 6.
“We are very prepared,” he told reporters during an inspection of the Senate. “We are ready. In fact, today is a physical test, and we will continue to improve as we go.”
He said the appellate court will still have 24 seats for parliamentary judges despite the suspension of Senator Jose “Jinggoy” P. Ejercito Estrada following his arrest on robbery charges and the absence of Senator Ronald “Bato” M. dela Rosa, who is still at large after an arrest warrant in connection with the investigation of the International Criminal Court investigating Duterigal drugs.
Mr. Gatchalian also said that the Senate will seat about 150 members of the public who wish to see for themselves what is happening after the tightening of security measures.
“We have a visitor management system,” he said. “This is where they will register. Not all will be able to accept it. It will be first come first served.”
On Monday evening, Mr. Gatchalian signed the pre-trial order, which has been handed over to the prosecution and defense teams.
The prosecution team of the House of Representatives listed 57 witnesses, including “Mary Grace Piattos,” who allegedly received secret funds from the Office of the Vice President, and Ramil S. Madriaga, who previously claimed to have served as Ms. Duterte's fund manager.
The defendants identified 45 witnesses, including Mr. Madriaga, former Executive Secretary Lucas P. Bersamin and former Budget Secretary Amenah F. Pangandaman.
Seventeen witnesses appeared from the lists of both sides, including former Senator Antonio F. Trillanes IV, Ms. Pangandaman and Ombudsman Jesus Crispin C. Remulla.
The trial court issued the pre-trial order four days after the conclusion of a five-day pre-trial conference, after the June 25 target date.
Under the order, hearings are scheduled at 2 pm every Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday until July 27. From July 28, sessions will begin at 3 pm every Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday until the end of the trial.
Prosecutors proposed a 62-day trial, while the defense suggested 30 days.
Based on the pre-trial order, Article I, which includes allegations of misappropriation and misappropriation of private funds, accounts for a proposed 31-day trial. Article II, which deals with alleged unexplained wealth, has 12 trial days, while Article III has eight. Article IV, which deals with the conspiracy to impeach the President, his wife and the former Speaker, has a proposed 11-day trial.
The trial court also approved the use of both English and Filipino during the trial, a motion previously requested by the prosecution, and ordered both parties to submit comments on the pre-trial order within three days of receiving it.
Mrs. Duterte is facing four counts of impeachment accusing her of misappropriation of private funds, unexplained wealth, bribery and conspiracy to kill President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr., First Lady Louise Araneta-Marcos and Leyte Rep. and former Speaker Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez.
He denied these allegations. – Kaela Patricia B. Gabriel
