Senators of the impeachment court are looking to speed up Vice President Sara Duterte’s trial through limiting arguments to issues that are directly related to the case while resolving pending procedural questions as stated by Sen. Erwin Tulfo stated yesterday.
Tulfo said most senators are willing to start the impeachment hearings at a much earlier time, from 10 a.m to 2 p.m, with proceedings continuing until 3 p.m, before the Senate resumes regular session at 4 p.m.
He stated that presiding officer Sen. Francis Escudero is expected to exert greater control over the motions and manifestations after the first two weeks of the trial that were slowed down by discussions which extended beyond the articles of impeachment.
“The presentation of evidence will now be more selective, and the presiding officer will control motions and manifestations so they remain focused on the case,” Tulfo said on radio dzBB. Tulfo pointed out that the impeachment court has heard only two prosecution witnesses since the trial began, but expressed confidence that the proceedings would move forward following President Marcos’ State of the Nation Address.
He mentioned Escudero cited the 2021 impeachment trial of former Chief Justice Renato Corona, in which proceedings moved slowly for the first two weeks before picking up speed. Before the trial continues, Tulfo also asked the impeachment court to resolve outstanding procedural issues, such as plans to subpoena Duterte’s and her husband’s bank and tax records through attorney Manases Carpio.
In the event that parties are unable to come to a consensus, the senators would decide the matter after hearing arguments from both prosecution and the defence.
“We just want to get these issues out of the way. If they are discussed only during the trial, the proceedings will take even longer. That would be unfair to the Vice President,” Tulfo said. He emphasized that the impeachment court was established specifically to hear the case against Duterte and should continue to concentrate on establishing the veracity of the accusations /Phoemella Contreras
