MANILA, Philippines — The defense team of Vice President Sara Duterte has requested eight trial days to present its witnesses and evidence on the remaining unexplained wealth charge in her impeachment trial, potentially allowing the evidentiary proceedings to conclude before the end of November, House impeachment adviser and trial spokesman Robert Ace Barbers said Tuesday.
“So, starting November 9, the defense panel has requested eight trial days for Article II, the unexplained wealth charge. If we count eight trial days starting November 9, assuming the trial is held every day, it would probably take about two weeks,” Barbers said in a television interview.
The Senate impeachment court has scheduled hearings on November 9 to 13, 19, 20 and 23, allowing the defense to present its case while accommodating the chamber’s legislative duties and preparations for the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) Summit.
Barbers said the actual duration would depend on the number of witnesses and documentary evidence the defense intends to present.
The Senate impeachment court earlier approved the prosecution’s withdrawal of Article I on the alleged misuse of confidential funds, Article III on bribery and Article IV on grave threats on October 13, leaving Article II, which concerns Duterte’s alleged unexplained wealth and financial declarations.
The prosecution said it is willing to enter into stipulations on uncontested evidence to expedite proceedings and avoid unnecessary testimony and arguments.
“All we can say is that the prosecution panel has long been preparing for this opportunity to have its witnesses cross-examined and its evidence examined as well,” Barbers said.
