Duterte impeachment trial wraps up Week 1; 2nd witness moved to Monday

MANILA, Philippines — The first week of Vice President Sara Duterte impeachment trial ended earlier than anticipated after the prosecution panel moved the presentation of its second witness to next Monday.

On the first day of trial, two witnesses, National Bureau of Investigation senior agent John Mark Calilung and Regional Director Jeremy Lotoc were subpoenaed to be presented by the prosecution on Tuesday and Wednesday.

However, after the defense cross-examination of Calilung on the second day, counsel for the prosecution, Amando Ligutan, said Lotoc will be presented on the next day of trial.

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READ: 2 NBI execs among first witnesses called to testify in Duterte trial

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“We manifest, your honor, that John Mark Calilung will be our witness for this afternoon. We will be presenting our next witness during the next hearing… Atty. Jeremy Lotoc will be presented by the prosecution on Monday,” Ligutan told the impeachment court.

He reasoned: “We will utilize the 11 days allotted to Article IV for the prosecution.”

Impeachment Article IV refers to Duterte’s alleged assassination threats against President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., first lady Liza Araneta-Marcos and former House Speaker Martin Romualdez.

The statements were investigated by Calilung, while Lotoc was involved in investigating whether or not the vice president hired an assassin.

After Ligutan’s manifestation, impeachment court presiding officer, Senator-judge Francis Chiz Escudero, adjourned the trial day. /mr

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