THE House prosecution panel supports Vice President Sara Z. Duterte’s call for a prompt impeachment trial but said speed should not come at the expense of a complete presentation of evidence and due process for both sides.
House prosecution spokespersons Atty. Benjamin “Jay” Tolosa Jr., and Rep. Zia Alonto Adiong of Lanao del Sur issued the statement during an online press conference Thursday, a day after Duterte said she wanted the proceedings resolved quickly.
“Doon sa pahayag niya na gusto niyang mapabilis, we don’t see any problem, kasi isa kami sa may kagustuhan na matapos natin itong proseso na ito sa lalong mabilis na panahon,” Tolosa said.
He stressed, however, that an expeditious trial must still give the prosecution and defense a fair opportunity to present the evidence necessary to their respective cases.
“But of course, iyong speedy disposition of cases, hindi naman ibig sabihin niyan kailangan natin siyang madaliin at the expense of having the opportunity to fully present our case by presenting the evidence that we think are needed,” Tolosa said.
The prosecution has already shortened its presentation when additional testimony would merely repeat matters already established, he said. Under Article IV, which involved the alleged threats against President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. and members of his family, the panel presented three witnesses and dropped several others after deciding their testimony was no longer necessary.
“Again, makikita natin doon sa grave threats, ganyan ang ginawa natin. We dispensed with more than half of our witnesses,” Tolosa said.
He said the same approach would guide the prosecution’s presentation under Article I, concerning the alleged misuse of confidential funds of the Office of the Vice President and Department of Education.
“Pati dito sa usapin ng confidential funds, ganyan din ang gagawin namin. We will not present evidence that are not absolutely necessary and will just be cumulative para mapabilis ang proseso,” Tolosa added.
Adiong said no conflict exists between prompt adjudication and the parties’ right to be fully heard.
“Ang promptness and the speedy disposition of the court’s decision can go hand in hand with due process,” he said. “As long as it will not compromise the presentation of both panels—not only the prosecution panel but as well as the defense—wala naman pong problema.”
Tolosa noted that recent suspensions were principally caused by severe weather, a circumstance beyond either party’s control.
He said avoidable delays could be reduced if both sides complied promptly with the Impeachment Court’s procedural directions.
Tolosa cited the delayed comparison of documents before the intended testimony of Commission on Audit state auditor Xylene del Campo as one instance that affected the schedule, although he stopped short of accusing the defense of deliberately delaying the proceedings.
Meanwhile, the prosecutors also renewed their call for Duterte to attend the proceedings personally. Tolosa acknowledged that the summons allowed her to appear either in person or through counsel and that she chose representation by her lawyers, a procedural option the panel respects.
Adiong said the public’s call for her attendance had become more urgent after former OVP special disbursing officer Gina Acosta testified that Duterte instructed her to turn over ₱125 million in cash to Col. Raymund Dante Lachica.
“Only the Vice President can explain (why). How can she explain if she’s not attending her own trial?” Adiong said.
The prosecution maintained that a faster trial requires discipline from all participants, not the exclusion of material evidence. It said it would continue removing repetitive witnesses while presenting the testimony and records necessary for the Impeachment Court to decide on a complete record.
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