THE head of the House prosecution panel said Monday that prosecutors are ready to file their reply and move to the next phase of the impeachment case against Vice President Sara Z. Duterte ahead of the deadline for her answer to the Articles of Impeachment.
Batangas 2nd District Rep. Gerville “Jinky Bitrics” Luistro said the 11-member prosecution team is prepared to proceed once the Senate impeachment court moves forward with the case.
“For the 11 prosecutors, rest assured that we are ready to fulfill our mandate under the Constitution,” the lead prosecutor and chair of the House Committee on Justice said during a press conference.
The House of Representatives earlier impeached Duterte and transmitted the Articles of Impeachment to the Senate, which has already convened as an impeachment court.
Luistro said prosecutors were closely monitoring the expected filing of Duterte’s answer, which was due by 7 p.m. Monday, and were prepared to submit their reply within the period prescribed by the impeachment court.
“As soon as we receive the answer from the Vice President, we will be starting to prepare our reply, which is supposed to be filed within the non-extendable period of five days,” she said.
“So sana matapos namin within the week para lahat ng responsive pleadings filed now with the impeachment court.”
The prosecution panel is also preparing for the pre-trial conference, where both sides are expected to identify witnesses, stipulate facts and mark documentary evidence before the formal presentation of evidence begins.
“This is supposed to simplify the presentation of evidence and witnesses which will happen during the trial,” Luistro said.
The Articles of Impeachment accuse Duterte of misusing confidential funds, amassing unexplained wealth, bribing Department of Education officials, and threatening President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos and former Speaker Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez.
Despite reports that a pre-trial conference could be held on June 15 and trial proceedings could begin on July 6, Luistro said the prosecution has yet to receive any formal notice from the impeachment court.
“Actually wala po tayong official notice about the schedule of pre-trial conference,” she said.
“We have no official information, as a matter of fact, whether papayagan ba o hindi itong pre-trial conference na ito. And even the first schedule of the trial, wala pa rin po tayong official na notice from the impeachment court.”
Still, Luistro expressed confidence that the proceedings would continue.
“But we look forward that since the Senate already convened the impeachment court, we are positive na magtutuloy-tuloy ito,” she said.
“And in as far as the 11 prosecutors is concerned, kami po ay ready, ready to appear before the impeachment court.”
Luistro also announced updated assignments within the prosecution panel.
House Senior Deputy Majority Leader and Iloilo 3rd District Rep. Lorenz Defensor will lead the article involving alleged threats; Manila 3rd District Rep. Joel Chua will lead the confidential funds article; Bukidnon 2nd District Rep. Jonathan Keith Flores will lead the bribery article; and Bicol Saro Rep. Terry Ridon will lead the unexplained wealth article.
The remaining members of the prosecution team are Dinagat Islands Rep. Arlene “Kaka” Bag-ao, Mamamayang Liberal Party-list Rep. Leila de Lima, Akbayan Party-list Rep. Chel Diokno, San Juan City Rep. Ysabel Maria Zamora, Cagayan de Oro 1st District Rep. Lordan Suan, and 1-Rider Party-list Rep. Rodge Gutierrez.
Luistro said the assignments could still change as prosecutors refine their trial strategy.
“Hanggang hindi po natatapos ang presentation of evidence, please anticipate that there will be changes on the assignment of prosecutors,” she said.
She added that the prosecution panel is now in full preparation mode, reviewing evidence, conducting workshops and holding mock trials as it awaits the next orders from the impeachment court.
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