Defense comments on pretrial order; Bantug sees no delay in July 6 trial

MANILA, Philippines — The defense team of Vice President Sara Duterte filed its comments on the Senate impeachment court’s pretrial order before Thursday’s deadline, with Senate Secretary and Impeachment Clerk of Court Renato Bantug Jr. saying he sees nothing that would delay the scheduled start of the impeachment trial on July 6.

Defense lawyer Michael Poa on Friday confirmed to the Inquirer that the camp had filed its comment on Thursday, the deadline set by the Senate impeachment court.

However, he declined to disclose its contents, saying, “We are prohibited by the Rules on Impeachment from discussing such matters in public.”

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READ: Bantug: Pretrial order sent to parties in Sara Duterte impeachment case

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According to Bantug, his initial review showed nothing that would stop the impeachment trial from proceeding as scheduled.

“At first glance, I don’t see anything that would prevent the start of the trial on Monday,” Bantug said Friday morning in an interview with dzMM.

Bantug said he had yet to thoroughly review the defense’s submission and could not immediately determine whether the comments would require any corrections to the pretrial order.

Asked whether the defense could still seek a postponement, Bantug said no such request had been made.

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READ: Ridon: Prosecution received pretrial order, ready for July 6

“As of now, there is nothing of that sort, and I don’t want to preempt them. But as we speak, we will proceed with the trial on Monday,” he reaffirmed.

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Bantug confirmed the defense was the only party that submitted comments on the pretrial order issued Monday, with the prosecution opting not to file any. /das

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