House prosecutors ‘in thick of preparations’ for Sara Duterte impeachment trial | ABS-CBN
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House prosecutors ‘in thick of preparations’ for Sara Duterte impeachment trial
House prosecutors ‘in thick of preparations’ for Sara Duterte impeachment trial
Vice President Sara Duterte holds a press conference, February 7, 2025. Maria Tan, ABS-CBN News
Vice President Sara Duterte holds a press conference, February 7, 2025. Maria Tan, ABS-CBN News MANILA — A member of the House of Representatives prosecution team said they were "in the thick of preparations" for the looming impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte.
MANILA — A member of the House of Representatives prosecution team said they were "in the thick of preparations" for the looming impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte.
Iloilo Third District Rep. Lorenz Defensor said on Wednesday they were about 80 percent ready for the trial.
Iloilo Third District Rep. Lorenz Defensor said on Wednesday they were about 80 percent ready for the trial.
"We are preparing our testimonial and documentary evidence. And we have conducted a run through of what an impeachment court would feel like, anticipating possible objections from the defense team. So right now, we are not only preparing the evidence for the prosecution, but we are also anticipating kung ano din yung pwedeng pangharang ng kabilang kampo," Defensor said.
"We are preparing our testimonial and documentary evidence. And we have conducted a run through of what an impeachment court would feel like, anticipating possible objections from the defense team. So right now, we are not only preparing the evidence for the prosecution, but we are also anticipating kung ano din yung pwedeng pangharang ng kabilang kampo," Defensor said.
"We are 80 percent ready. We are just preparing and anticipating what possible defenses would be by the defense council."
"We are 80 percent ready. We are just preparing and anticipating what possible defenses would be by the defense council."
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He admitted that balancing trial preparations with the election campaign season was challenging.
He admitted that balancing trial preparations with the election campaign season was challenging.
"Kumakain siya ng oras sa preparation. But it's a good challenge also. Nakikita namin ang pulso ng tao sa ground. And we get a sense of how our constituents view the impeachment trial, and we have a strong sense that they want to see impeachment proceed and they want to see if there is accountability sa impeachment process na ito," he said.
"Kumakain siya ng oras sa preparation. But it's a good challenge also. Nakikita namin ang pulso ng tao sa ground. And we get a sense of how our constituents view the impeachment trial, and we have a strong sense that they want to see impeachment proceed and they want to see if there is accountability sa impeachment process na ito," he said.
Defensor and San Juan Rep. Ysabel Zamora are assigned to the first article of impeachment, which refers to Duterte’s alleged death threat against President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos and House Speaker Martin Romualdez.
Defensor and San Juan Rep. Ysabel Zamora are assigned to the first article of impeachment, which refers to Duterte’s alleged death threat against President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos and House Speaker Martin Romualdez.
But Defensor said the entire team should be knowledgeable of all the articles of impeachment.
But Defensor said the entire team should be knowledgeable of all the articles of impeachment.
"Dapat alam natin ang lahat ng ebidensya at lahat ng articles of the impeachment. All of us should be on board on all articles of the impeachment… Hindi pwedeng matanong kami ng related sa ibang articles and we don't have a mastery of that article. So while we are focused on building up the case for Article 1, we will be on board for Article 2 until 7," he said.
"Dapat alam natin ang lahat ng ebidensya at lahat ng articles of the impeachment. All of us should be on board on all articles of the impeachment… Hindi pwedeng matanong kami ng related sa ibang articles and we don't have a mastery of that article. So while we are focused on building up the case for Article 1, we will be on board for Article 2 until 7," he said.
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Defensor said they were still reviewing the list of witnesses.
Defensor said they were still reviewing the list of witnesses.
"As lawyers, you always gather as much evidence as you can. Tapos sasalain nyo yun. You screen which would be the best to present during the trial. And since we were given time by the Senate President, so it gives us time to thoroughly review what we have," he said.
"As lawyers, you always gather as much evidence as you can. Tapos sasalain nyo yun. You screen which would be the best to present during the trial. And since we were given time by the Senate President, so it gives us time to thoroughly review what we have," he said.
Defensor did not disclose the identities of the private prosecutors, but said they are practicing lawyers and litigators. Some of them had prior experience in impeachment trials, he said.
Defensor did not disclose the identities of the private prosecutors, but said they are practicing lawyers and litigators. Some of them had prior experience in impeachment trials, he said.
Last week, Senate President Francis Escudero rejected the House prosecution team's motion to issue summons against the Vice President to answer the articles of impeachment.
Last week, Senate President Francis Escudero rejected the House prosecution team's motion to issue summons against the Vice President to answer the articles of impeachment.
Defensor said the prosecution panel has yet to decide on their next move.
Defensor said the prosecution panel has yet to decide on their next move.
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"I'm okay with following Senator Chis Escudero's directive regarding that timeline. We'll just do our job to prepare and we will see. Tingnan natin ang aming collective decision diyan. Pero ako, alam mo, susunod naman ako kung anong sasabihin ng judge. Mahirap kalabanin," he said.
"I'm okay with following Senator Chis Escudero's directive regarding that timeline. We'll just do our job to prepare and we will see. Tingnan natin ang aming collective decision diyan. Pero ako, alam mo, susunod naman ako kung anong sasabihin ng judge. Mahirap kalabanin," he said.
"Just for the record, I'm very happy and I'm glad that the Senate President, who will be the presiding judge in the impeachment trial, is a lawyer. And I'm very sure that Senate President Chiz Escudero would be able to clearly distinguish between a political exercise such as an impeachment proceeding compared to a judicial proceeding where the strict rules of evidence apply," Defensor added.
"Just for the record, I'm very happy and I'm glad that the Senate President, who will be the presiding judge in the impeachment trial, is a lawyer. And I'm very sure that Senate President Chiz Escudero would be able to clearly distinguish between a political exercise such as an impeachment proceeding compared to a judicial proceeding where the strict rules of evidence apply," Defensor added.
He said the prosecution team would meet again this week.
He said the prosecution team would meet again this week.
The Vice President earlier said her legal team was already preparing and she was ready to face the allegations against her.
The Vice President earlier said her legal team was already preparing and she was ready to face the allegations against her.
She said she would return to the Philippines within the week from the Netherlands, where her father, former president Rodrigo Duterte, was detained to face crimes against humanity charges before the International Criminal Court.
She said she would return to the Philippines within the week from the Netherlands, where her father, former president Rodrigo Duterte, was detained to face crimes against humanity charges before the International Criminal Court.
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Defensor said Duterte does not need to be present for the trial to proceed.
Defensor said Duterte does not need to be present for the trial to proceed.
"VP Sara can choose to attend or not to attend the impeachment trial as long as she is represented [by] her counsel during the trial, the trial can proceed kahit wala siya," he said.
"VP Sara can choose to attend or not to attend the impeachment trial as long as she is represented [by] her counsel during the trial, the trial can proceed kahit wala siya," he said.
"But remember, her personal appearance may say a lot with respect to her accountability, with respect to transparency in the trial. Kasi ang gusto lang naman marinig ng mga taong bayan is, paano mo ginastos yung pera ng confidential and intelligence funds? And a straight answer from her would answer all the questions," he said.
"But remember, her personal appearance may say a lot with respect to her accountability, with respect to transparency in the trial. Kasi ang gusto lang naman marinig ng mga taong bayan is, paano mo ginastos yung pera ng confidential and intelligence funds? And a straight answer from her would answer all the questions," he said.
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