House prosecutors hint: ‘May pasabog next week’

HOUSE impeachment prosecutors on Thursday hinted that stronger evidence will be presented next week in the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Z. Duterte, but declined to disclose details, citing the rule against discussing matters not yet taken up before the Senate impeachment court.

At the House of Representatives, House prosecution legal spokesperson Atty. Benjamin “Jay” Tolosa Jr., Deputy Speaker Francisco Paolo Ortega V of La Union, San Juan City Rep. Ysabel Maria Zamora, and 1-Rider Party-list Rep. Rodge Gutierrez gave updates on the first week of trial and the next witnesses under Article IV, the grave threats article.

Tolosa was asked whether the prosecution would present a “pasabog” next week.

“Meron ho kaming matibay na ebidensya na ilalabas sa susunod na linggo,” Tolosa said.

He declined to elaborate, saying the prosecution cannot discuss matters not yet presented before the impeachment court.

“Because of the sub judice rule, we cannot talk about matters that were not yet discussed in the impeachment proceedings,” Tolosa said.

“That’s why we’re begging for your patience at this time,” he added.

Tolosa said those matters may be discussed once the prosecution’s witnesses have presented them in court.

“Pag nailatag na ho ‘yan ng witnesses namin, pwede na natin pag-usapan,” he said.

Asked about possible developments in the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) inquiry, Tolosa said the public should wait for the testimony of the prosecution’s next NBI witnesses.

“Let’s wait for the testimony of Director [Melvin]
Matibag and the other regional director of the NBI,” Tolosa said.

“They will be testifying about the investigation conducted by the NBI in relation to this,” he added.

Zamora said the prosecution is still in the early stage of presenting Article IV.

“Umpisa pa lang po ito,” Zamora said.

“Hindi pa po tapos ang pagpresenta ng mga witness patungkol sa Article IV o ‘yung grave threats article,” she added.

She said another NBI official is set to testify next.

“In the coming weeks, meron pa po tayong ibang witnesses, ang susunod naman po ay na-announce na at yun din po ay isa pang NBI official, yun po si Attorney Lotoc, which we will present on Monday,” Zamora said.

Zamora urged the public to continue following the trial.

“Sana po, subaybayan po ng ating public ang trial ng ating vice president, at marami pa po tayong mapupulot na kaalaman dito,” she said.

For the House prosecution panel, the message was clear: the first witness laid the foundation, Article IV is far from over, and next week’s evidence will be presented in court.