HOUSE prosecutor and Manila 3rd District Rep. Joel Chua said the House prosecution panel does not necessarily have to present all four Articles of Impeachment against Vice President Sara Z. Duterte if it becomes clear during the trial that a single article is already strong enough to secure a conviction.
Speaking at the Saturday News Forum at Dapo Restaurant in Quezon City, Chua said the Senate impeachment trial could unfold depending on how the evidence is received article by article, with the prosecution focused on proving what is necessary to hold Duterte accountable under the Constitution.
The House prosecution panel is currently preparing for the pre-trial phase of the impeachment case. Earlier statements from the prosecution indicated that the pre-trial brief would be filed on Monday, the pre-trial conference is set for June 18, and the trial proper is scheduled to begin on July 6. The panel has also said it filed a manifestation, rather than a formal reply, after characterizing Duterte’s answer as a “non-answer” to the impeachment allegations.
Asked about the possible duration of the trial, Chua said the prosecution may not need to present all four articles if it determines that the evidence under one, two, or three articles is already sufficient.
“Depende po kasi kung sa tingin po namin, after two, one, two, or three articles, tingin namin, matibay na yung aming ebidensya, hindi na po namin kailangan tapusin ‘yung apat na articles,” Chua said.
He stressed that conviction on all four articles is not required.
“So ang kailangan naman namin ay isang conviction sa article,” Chua said.
“Hindi po kailangan conviction sa lahat ng articles,” he added.
Chua said that once a conviction is secured on one article, the trial could effectively end.
“So isa lang doon, ma-convict po siya, tapos na po yung trial,” Chua said.
Asked to explain how voting could proceed after the presentation of a single article, Chua said the prosecution may decide to submit the case for a vote if it believes the evidence already presented is sufficient.
“So, kung puwede po kunwari, naniniwala po kami, pagkatapos po namin ‘yung presentation ng isang article, sa tingin namin matibay na, puwede na po namin i-submit, hindi na po namin ituloy yung tatlo pang articles,” he added.
“So hindi po namin kailangang patunayan yung apat na articles. Kung sa tingin namin ‘yung unang article pa lamang matibay na ang ebidensiya at na naniniwala kami na doon pa lang ma-co-convict na, puwede po hindi na po namin ituloy at puwede po yung doon lamang ay pagbotohan na ng mga senador,” Chua explained.
