Verdict on Sara Duterte may be out December 16 — Senate court spokesman

NOT ENEMY. Senate impeachment court spokesman Reginald Tongol urges House prosecutors to focus their energy on building up their case.

SENATE YOUTUBE SCREENSHOT

Senate impeachment court spokesperson Reginald Tongol says the prosecution's dropping of witnesses fast-tracked Vice President Duterte's impeachment trial

MANILA, Philippines — The Senate impeachment court may issue its verdict in the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte as early as December 16, spokesperson Reginald Tongol said Friday, October 2.

In a virtual press briefing, Tongol said the trial remains “aggressively” ahead of schedule despite the suspension of proceedings, and that the court could finish the case before the Senate goes on its holiday recess.

The court cut short the hearing on Thursday, October 1, and suspended the proceedings slated for October 2, after granting the defense counsel’s request to defer the testimony of Anti-Money Laundering Council (AMLC) Executive Director Ronel Buenaventura over confidentiality issues. 

The trial resumes on Monday, October 5, with Buenaventura taking the witness stand. 

According to Tongol, the prosecution’s decision to drop some of its witnesses has expedited the proceedings, saving the court 27 trial days. He also said the House prosecution panel is expected to finish presenting its witnesses on Duterte’s alleged unexplained wealth by next week.

If the prosecution formally drops the bribery charges against Duterte, it may proceed with its formal offer of exhibits. The defense will then be asked to comment on the prosecution’s formal offer before presenting its own witnesses.

The defense has been allocated 30 trial days for its presentation of witnesses. Tongol said that if the defense uses all 30 days, the senator-judges could issue their verdict by December 16.

“If the defense consumes all 30 days they requested, then the verdict may come by December 16,” Tongol said in a mix of English and Filipino.

Under the pre-trial order, the prosecution listed 57 witnesses to be presented in 62 trial days. The defense panel said it will present 45 witnesses in 30 trial days. – Rappler.com