Sara Duterte trial: Prosecution backs revised schedule amid delays

MANILA, Philippines – The prosecution team in Vice President Sara Duterte’s impeachment trial supports revising the schedule of the proceedings, Manila Rep. Joel Chua said on Sunday, as repeated postponements have slowed the trial.

Chua, a public prosecutor, said the team wants to wrap up Duterte’s case quickly and is open to measures that would speed up the proceedings. The panel aims to finish presenting its evidence by September, he added.

“We agree with the proposal of our honorable senator-judges,” he told dzBB radio in Filipino. “We also want this to be finished as soon as possible without compromising the justice we are seeking.”

Sen. Panfilo Lacson had bared that the Senate majority bloc agreed to move Duterte’s trial to the afternoon, allowing the chamber to tackle its legislative agenda before the proceedings, which are expected to run for 92 trial days.

READ: Suspensions delay truth-seeking in VP Duterte’s trial – Barbers

Duterte’s trial is on the 16th day, and the Senate Impeachment Court is hearing testimony from prosecution witnesses tied to a claim that she misused confidential funds.

Chua said prosecutors agree with the suggestion to hold the trial from 2:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., or longer if needed, to improve the flow of proceedings and avoid delays.

“As we saw now, there were unforeseen events… so our presentation was delayed, and we will recalibrate,” he said.

The court canceled hearings set for Tuesday and Wednesday as torrential monsoon rains battered the Philippines.

The postponements came as prosecutors were questioning Gina Acosta, a former special disbursing officer at the Office of the Vice President who has been declared a hostile witness over her ties with Duterte.

Chua said the prosecution may pare down witnesses and cut their presentation short to hasten the trial, as they aim to wrap up evidence on her alleged misuse of P612.5 million in secret funds in 2022 and 2023.

“Definitely, it could be reduced,” he said, referring to its list of witnesses for the impeachment article prosecutors are presenting. “Many of them can be considered corroborating witnesses.”

“If we believe the testimony is already strong enough, then we can cut down,” he added. “We want to speed up the trial but not sacrifice the substance we intend to present.”

If prosecutors deem that they have made the case that Duterte misused the secret funds allotted to her office, Chua said the panel could move to its next impeachment article: the allegation that Duterte amassed unexplained wealth. /mcm