All systems go for VP impeach trial

With the Senate impeachment court slated to open the trial of Vice President Sara Duterte tomorrow, House prosecutors have declared their readiness to present their case as they challenged the embattled official not to “ghost” the public by skipping the proceedings.

- NEIL JAYSON SERVALLOS

“The long wait is over. On Monday, we expect the trial to begin, as our countrymen have long waited for,” House of Representatives prosecutor Rep. Joel Chua announced at a news forum in Quezon City yesterday.

The trial is slated to kick off at 2 p.m. tomorrow, with statements from both the prosecution and defense panels, followed by a Senate impeachment court ruling on key procedural motions.

But after the resumption of the second regular session on July 27, Senate trial will begin at 3 p.m., with mornings devoted to legislative hearings, starting at 10 a.m.

“It’s going to be heavy if you look at the activities: mornings, debate on bills, afternoon is for the impeachment court. And on other days, there are hearings. I admit it’s going to be tough for our senators,” Senate President Sherwin Gatchalian said, explaining the adjustments in schedule.

Chua said one of the crucial issues to be decided is the prosecution's request for the trial to be conducted in Filipino and English so that the public will better understand the proceedings.

Duterte was impeached by the House in May and is facing trial over allegations that include misuse of confidential funds, unexplained wealth, bribery involving Department of Education personnel and threats against President Marcos, First Lady Liza Marcos and former speaker Martin Romualdez.

The House prosecution panel submitted to the impeachment court the names of National Bureau of Investigation Bangsamoro regional director Jeremy Lotoc, NBI senior agent John Mark Calilung and House Legislative Security Bureau director Belinda Bello as witnesses to be presented this week.