Sara Duterte defense team expected to present witness on November 9 --Hontiveros

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The defense team of Vice President Sara Duterte is expected to begin presenting its witnesses and evidence when the impeachment trial resumes on November 9, Senator Risa Hontiveros said Friday.

In an interview on GMA News' Unang Balita, Hontiveros said it would be the defense panel's turn to present its case on Article II of the impeachment complaint or Duterte’s alleged unexplained wealth.

"Turn na po nila ngayong trial magpresenta ng kanilang mga witnesses at ebidensya, partikular doon sa Article II," Hontiveros said.

(It is their turn now in this trial to present their witnesses and evidence, particularly in Article II.)

She said the defense panel is expected to inform the senator-judges on Monday how it intends to proceed after consulting with Duterte, the respondent in the impeachment trial.

Asked about the 20 witnesses requested by the defense, Hontiveros said she could not yet confirm whether all of them had committed to attend the proceedings.

“Malalaman natin finally kung sino-sino sa kanila at ilan lahat ang haharap sa pag-presentation na po ng defense panel sa November 9,” she said.

(We will finally know who they are and how many will appear in total when the defense panel presents
on November 9.)

The impeachment trial is set to resume on Monday, November 9.

Hontiveros said the impeachment court has yet to set a specific target date for the verdict in the impeachment trial against Duterte.

The senator-judge said the impeachment court would allow both the prosecution and the defense sufficient time to present their respective witnesses and evidence before they make their decision. —Joviland Rita/ VAL, GMA News