First impressions often lead to wrong conclusion.

The prosecutors in the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte are scrambling to expedite the marking of thousands of documentary exhibits linked to her alleged misuse of confidential funds, as having to work on “really voluminous” documents is compounding the task and threatening to derail the start of her impeachment trial on July 6.

The Sandiganbayan Sixth Division has upheld its decision blocking former public works officials in Region 4 from seeking an early dismissal of malversation and falsification charges tied to an infrastructure project.

Senator Chiz Escudero is being touted as presiding officer of VP Sara Duterte’s impeachment trial. Meaning, he, instead of Senate President Sherwin Gatchalian, is to chair the proceedings.

"They are not terrorists," Palace Press Officer Claire Castro said. 

The presentation of surprise witnesses is still possible during the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte, even if the prosecution and the defense have already submitted their respective lists of witnesses and evidence.