Vice President Sara Duterte addresses the media at the Veterans Memorial Medical Center in Quezon City on November 26, 2024 regarding her remarks about President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos. Maria Tan, ABS-CBN News

MANILA — The House prosecution team is ramping up its preparations for the impending impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte as it meets in small groups to focus on the assigned Articles of Impeachment.

House prosecutor says preps for VP Sara Duterte impeachment trial nearly done

Prosecutors earlier divided themselves into smaller groups depending on which article they are assigned to.

House prosecutor Batangas 2nd District Rep. Gerville Luistro arrived at the House of Representatives Wednesday morning to meet with her "small group."

Luistro is among those assigned to Article 2 on the alleged misuse of confidential funds of the Office of the Vice President and Department of Education.

"Ang preparation na ay sama-sama yung nasa Article 1, tapos one group din yung nasa Article 2, another group yung nasa Article 3, so on and so forth, no? In other words, we seldom or we rarely meet as a team. Instead, we meet by article team. And since I am assigned in Article 2 in confidential fund, I work with the rest of the congs who are assigned in confidential fund as well," she said.

House prosecutors ask Senate: Direct Sara Duterte to answer articles of impeachment

The lawmaker said they will study if there is a need to present more witnesses.

"We have not met with our potential witnesses. And we are focusing still with the evidence which we have gathered so far during the Blue Ribbon Committee hearing," Luistro said.  

The lawmaker did not disclose details on the private prosecutors tapped to help the prosecution team, but she earlier said there are a number of volunteers who signified their intent. 

"To this day, we have not finalized yet the names and the numbers of the private prosecutors who will be joining the team. But there are occasions when some participate already in giving their opinion about certain matters concerning the impeachment process," Luistro said.

MESSAGE TO VP SARA? 

The Vice President earlier said her legal team has been preparing for the proceedings, even before the House of Representatives impeached her in February.

In response, Luistro said the impeachment trial will give Duterte a chance to defend herself and answer the allegations against her.

"I think this is an opportunity for them to be able to present their defense. Sabi ko nga during the investigation in the Blue Ribbon or in the Good Government, we never saw the Vice President interpose her defense. Wala siyang nilatag na ebidensya. She did not participate except for one hearing," she said. 

Escudero orders Senate offices to prepare for VP Duterte impeachment trial

"Ako, as one of the prosecutors, I am looking forward to see kung anong magiging depensa nila," Luistro added. 

When asked for a message directed to Duterte, she encouraged the Vice President to participate in the impeachment proceedings. 

"I hope she takes advantage of this due process na ibinibigay sa kanya in the impeachment process... Sana this time around ay mag-participate siya fully," Luistro said.

The Vice President is still in The Hague to attend to her father, former President Rodrigo Duterte, who is facing charges of crimes against humanity before the International Criminal Court.

Escudero timetable sees VP Duterte impeachment trial starting on July 30

House prosecutors earlier said it is not a requirement for Duterte to return to the country to file her answer, but it would be better if she faces the allegations in person. 

ESCUDERO: NO SUMMONS WHILE SENATE ON BREAK

The prosecution team filed on Tuesday an entry with motion to issue summons, asking Senate President Francis Escudero to direct the Vice President to file her answer to the Articles of Impeachment.

The Senate has yet to respond to the request but Escudero said it cannot issue the summons while Congress is in recess. He said committees can hold hearings during the break, but that impeachment proceedings are a different matter.

"Kapagka may sesyon ang Senado, doon lamang puwedeng magpresenta sila ng articles of impeachment at doon lamang din pwedeng i-convene ang impeachment court sa pamamagitan ng pagsusumpa ng mga miyembro ng Senado," he said, stressing the impeachment court cannot issue a summons before it has convened.

(The articles of impeachment can only be presented when the Senate is in session, and that is also the time that the impeachment court can convene)

Escudero however refused to call the House's move a waste of time.

"Hindi naman. May karapatan silang gawin yun. At recess naman. Dagdag lang sa trabaho namin para sagutin yun," he said.

(Not really. It's their right to do that and anyway we're on recess. But it is more work for us to have to respond)