Trial spox Adiong: Pre-trial order to set roadmap for VP Sara impeach trial

HOUSE impeachment trial spokesperson and Lanao del Sur Rep. Zia Alonto Adiong said over the weekend the expected pre-trial order from the Senate impeachment court will set the roadmap for the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Z. Duterte by identifying admitted matters, contested issues, and the parameters for presenting evidence.

Alonto Adiong said the pre-trial order is expected to reflect the discussions during the pre-trial conference, including proposed stipulations of fact and written comments or requests from both the prosecution and the defense.

The pre-trial order is expected to be released by the Senate impeachment court this Monday.

“Yung sa pre-trial order, that’s actually the summation of everything that was discussed during the pre-trial conference,” Alonto Adiong said during the Saturday News Forum at Dapo Restaurant in Quezon City

He said the purpose of the pre-trial conference is to simplify what will be taken up during the actual impeachment trial.

“Pre-trial conference is basically a simplification of the discussion in the court,” he said.

Alonto Adiong explained that matters accepted by both sides no longer have to be litigated at trial, while disputed issues will be included among the matters the impeachment court must resolve.

He said the order will guide both panels on the court’s directives, accepted matters, and issues that may still be taken up once the trial begins.

“A pre-trial order, summation na po ‘yan kung ano po ‘yung magiging directive ng korte, ano ‘yung magiging parameters, ano ‘yung magiging accepted, ano ‘yung mai-include for the guidance of both panels, the prosecution and the defense panel,” Alonto Adiong said.

He clarified that the clerk of court does not decide contested pleadings or questions that affect the presentation of evidence by either side. Those matters must be reported to the impeachment court.

“Ang clerk of court cannot actually resolve any pleadings, any questions, anything that would affect the presentation of both camps of their evidence,” Alonto Adiong said.

Alonto Adiong said the House prosecution team expects the pre-trial order to also address the written submissions, comments, and requests made by both parties after the pre-trial proceedings.

“So, iri-report po ‘yan ng clerk of court sa impeachment court,” Alonto Adiong said.

He said the pre-trial order is important because it will define the working framework before the July 6 trial: which facts no longer need to be proven, which issues remain contested, which evidence may be presented, and how both parties should proceed before the senator-judges.