Senate eyes shorter VP Sara impeachment trial

MANILA, Philippines — The Senate is eyeing a shorter trial for impeached Vice President Sara Duterte – originally expected to last for seven to eight months – so that the chamber can still have time for  important legislative measures including the proposed 2027 national budget.

This was according to Senate President Sherwin Gatchalian who said that apart from the impeachment trial – set to start on July 6 – the Senate is also expected to begin deliberations on the proposed 2027 national budget possibly by August, as well as on possible amendments to the Juvenile Justice and Welfare Act. Based on the Senate’s seven to eight month timeline, the impeachment trial of Duterte is expected to end by February.

“That’s why we’re studying how to hasten the impeachment trial. We will consult the prosecution and the defense on how we can shorten the process,” Gatchalian said in an interview over dzBB.

He said both parties may consider cutting  the number of witnesses as well as the pieces of evidence to be presented, pointing out that 10,000 pieces of evidence were marked during the pre-trial conference.

Despite the tight schedule, Gatchalian said the impeachment trial will begin on July 6 as scheduled, with the pre-trial order expected to be issued today.

Both parties have been given three days to file their respective comments on the pre-trial order.

While heightened security at the Senate premises is expected during the trial, specific areas at the gallery would be set aside for the public, Senate Secretary Renato Bantug Jr. said. “It’s in the rules that it (trial) must be open to the public at all times. We will reserve seats for the public,” Bantug told dzMM.

Meanwhile, House of Representatives prosecutors will use the Senate’s subpoena powers to compel testimonies from “hostile” and unwilling witnesses – including members of Duterte’s own defense camp.

In an interview yesterday over dzBB, Manila Rep. Joel Chua said the prosecution’s list of 57 witnesses  contains several individuals who are expected to resist testifying voluntarily.

“That’s why we have what we call ‘unwilling’ or ‘hostile’ witness. Not all who will be presented there are willing (to testify),” Chua said.

The clarification followed a social media post by former court sheriff Abe Andres – seen on TV being punched by then mayor Duterte during a 2011 demolition operation – appealing to be excluded from what he called “partisan political matters.”

Chua stressed that inclusion in the preliminary list does not guarantee immediate summons, as the necessity of any individual testimonies would be determined as the trial unfolds.

“Everyone we listed will not necessarily be summoned immediately,” he said. “They are there in the event that we may need their testimony. If it comes to a point where we think a particular testimony is strong and they are no longer needed, then most likely they will not be called.”

However, if a vital witness refuses to cooperate, only then will the prosecution panel request the impeachment court to subpoena such witness to force his or her appearance, Chua explained. The tact applies to witnesses who are actively aligned with the Vice President.

Among those listed by the prosecution is former Department of Education (DepEd) spokesman Michael Poa, who currently serves as spokesman for Duterte’s defense team.

Meanwhile, Chua said prosecutors have no intention of dragging all 4,000 alleged recipients of Duterte’s controversial confidential funds to the witness stand, explaining that focusing on a single prominent, suspected fictitious character named “Mary Grace Piattos” would be sufficient to prove the prosecution’s case.

He made the assurance amid concerns that the trial would drag on for years due to the sheer large number of signatures on the liquidation documents.

House investigators previously alleged that thousands of acknowledgment receipts used to justify the Office of the Vice President’s confidential expenditures contained fabricated names. The Philippine Statistics Authority earlier confirmed having no birth or marriage records of “Mary Grace Piattos.”

“The next administration’s term would be over by the time we call on everyone for that,” Chua said.