HOUSE prosecutors continue to refine their preparations for the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Z. Duterte, with lead prosecutor Rep. Gerville “Jinky Bitrics” Luistro of Batangas, saying there is always room to further strengthen their readiness before proceedings begin on July 6.
“Tuloy-tuloy ang aming preparation. Pero ang realization ko, preparation is always never enough kasi there’s always room for increasing the preparation that you already have,” Luistro said in an interview with radio dzBB on Tuesday.
Luistro said the prosecution team intends to maximize the remaining time before the trial begins.
“So basta tuloy-tuloy lang, while we still have time waiting for July 6, diretso-diretso ang preparation ng prosecution team,” she said.
During the interview, Luistro also declined to comment on reports regarding the increase in the declared net worth of Duterte and her husband, saying Senate rules prohibit prosecutors from discussing the merits of the case before trial.
“It’s because your question is on the merits, under the Senate rules, we are prohibited to comment on the merits of the case,” she said.
However, Luistro outlined the general principle behind allegations involving unexplained wealth, one of the issues raised in the Articles of Impeachment against the Vice President.
“Sa issue ng unexplained wealth ang importante, dapat ang acquisition justified ng lawful income. ‘Yung property, dapat kayang patunayan na kaya mong bilhin on the basis of your lawful income,” she explained.
The House prosecution panel has repeatedly said it is prepared to present evidence supporting all four Articles of Impeachment against Duterte, which include allegations involving the misuse of confidential funds, unexplained wealth, bribery, and threats against top government officials.
The Senate impeachment court is scheduled to hold its pre-trial conference on June 18, with trial proceedings set to begin on July 6.
