THE House prosecution panel has submitted to the Senate impeachment court its preferred sequence for presenting evidence in the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Z. Duterte, starting with the articles on the assassination plot, grave threats, and inciting to sedition.
In a press conference on Monday, House trial spokesperson and Lanao del Sur Rep. Zia Alonto Adiong said the proposed sequence was part of the prosecution panel’s June 22 submission, but the order remains subject to the impeachment court’s approval and possible modification.
“The sequence, according to the presentation of evidence, Article 4, assassination plot, grave threats, and inciting sedition against the government. Article 1, misuse of, misappropriation of confidential funds. Article 3, bribery and corruption within the Department of Education, and last is Article 2, unexplained wealth, false SALN, and continued business interest,” Alonto Adiong said.
Alonto Adiong explained that the prosecution considered both trial strategy and public understanding in proposing the order of presentation.
He said the trial will not be followed only by the senator-judges but also by the Filipino people, who must be able to understand the allegations and the evidence as they are presented.
“Hindi lang po ang Senado ang nag-e-evaluate at nag-a-assess ng ebidensya, pati na rin ang publiko,” he said.
The House spokesperson said that beginning with the article on alleged threats would help the public immediately follow the opening part of the case, given the video footage already widely discussed in public.
“It’s easier for the public to understand right away yung nakita nilang video na tini-threaten ng Bise Presidente, ang nakaupong Presidente, ang unang ginang, at ng dating Speaker of the House of Representatives,” Alonto Adiong said.
Atty. Benjamin S. Tolosa Jr., legal spokesperson for the private prosecution team, said the grave threats article is expected to be less complicated to present, at least with respect to the factual matters.
“For the grave threats, that’s the least contentious article, at least with respect to the facts,” Tolosa said.
Tolosa said the other articles may require additional court action because the prosecution expects to present hostile witnesses and may need subpoenas to compel attendance.
He said this is one practical reason some articles may require more time and procedural work before the impeachment court.
“For the others, there’s need for a request for issuance of a subpoena from the impeachment court,” Tolosa said.
The prosecution also explained that the unexplained wealth article is placed toward the latter part of the proposed sequence because of the volume of documents involved.
Alonto Adiong said the prosecution intends to reserve that article for later presentation because of the documentary load.
At the same time, Tolosa stressed that the prosecution’s preferred order is not final and may still be adjusted by the impeachment court.
“But of course, this is still subject to modifications as may be allowed and may be found to be appropriate by the impeachment court,” Tolosa said.
The House prosecution panel said the proposed order is meant to help the court and the public follow the case in a clear sequence: begin with the article that is most immediately understandable, then proceed to articles involving public funds, bribery, and more voluminous documentary evidence.
