VP Sara's impeach trial to show evidence of plot to assassinate first

CEBU CITY, Philippines — The House prosecution panel will first present evidence on Vice President Sara Duterte’s alleged plot to assassinate, utterance of grave threats, and incitement to sedition in her impeachment trial.

Lanao del Sur 1st District Rep. Zia Alonto Adiong, a member of the House prosecution team, announced the planned sequence during a press briefing on Monday, June 22.

The briefing followed the second day of the pre-trial conference, where the prosecution and defense discussed witnesses, evidence, and facts that may be admitted before the trial begins.

READ: VP Sara impeachment trial may run beyond September

Adiong said the panel would include the order of presentation in its submission to the impeachment court.

Order of presenting evidence

The prosecution will begin with Article IV, which covers the alleged assassination plot, grave threats, and inciting sedition against the government.

It will then proceed with Article I on the alleged misuse and misappropriation of confidential funds.

Article III, involving alleged bribery and corruption within the Department of Education, will follow.

READ: VP Duterte’s impeachment trial on track for July 6 start

The prosecution will present Article II last. It covers allegations of unexplained wealth, false statements in Duterte’s Statement of Assets, Liabilities and Net Worth, and continued business interests.

Witness purposes questioned

Adiong said the prosecution also asked the defense to explain the specific purpose of each witness it plans to present.

He said the defense’s pre-trial brief appeared to contain broad descriptions instead of clearly stating what each witness would prove.

“We don’t exactly know what would be the purpose with the witnesses that they have submitted to the court,” Adiong said.

Kabataan party-list Rep. Renee Co, also a member of the House prosecution panel, said specifying each witness’s purpose would help the court assess the relevance of the testimony.

She said the request also aimed to avoid delays during the impeachment trial.

“We want to protect the time of the impeachment court. We don’t want further delay,” Co said.

Written stipulations

The prosecution panel also filed its comments on the proposed stipulation of facts discussed during the first pre-trial conference on June 18.

A stipulation of facts allows both parties to agree on details that no longer need to be proven during trial.

Co said placing the parties’ admissions and denials in writing would save the impeachment court time.

Instead of discussing each proposed fact orally, the court may enter the written positions of both sides into the record.

Co said the panel remained on track with the Senate’s pre-trial calendar, which runs until June 25.

Adiong and Co were joined at the briefing by lawyer Benjamin Tolosa Jr., the new private prosecutor and spokesperson for the House impeachment team.

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