MANILA, Philippines — The House prosecution is expected to present on Monday National Bureau of Investigation regional director Jeremy Lotoc as its second witness as the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte enters its second week.
Senator-Judge Panfilo Lacson on Sunday said that the proceedings last Wednesday ended early because the next witness, Lotoc, was not in the Senate premises.
Lacson proposed measures to minimize delays in the impeachment trial, including having witnesses expected to testify during the week remain readily available at the Senate premises.
In a radio interview, he said this would maximize the limited hearing time while upholding the vice president's right to a speedy trial without compromising the integrity of the proceedings.
"One suggestion I made was that the defense and prosecution make sure their witnesses for one week are readily available in a holding room, so if we finish early with one witness, we can move to the next and not waste time," Lacson said in English and Filipino.
"Speeding up the trial does not mean compromising the presentation of evidence. It means maximizing the limited time available to us," he added.
Lacson said if the trial continues at the current pace, it may stretch through the Christmas holidays and beyond.
