VP Sara impeachment trial remains on track for July 6, says House prosecutor Diokno

THE impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Z. Duterte remains on schedule despite the lengthy pre-trial proceedings before the Senate impeachment court, House prosecutor and Akbayan Party-list Rep. Chel Diokno said Sunday.

In an interview over dzBB’s Bantay Balita sa Kongreso with Nimfa Ravelo and Isa Avendaño-Umali, Diokno said the ongoing pre-trial conference is expected to be completed within days and will not affect the scheduled start of the trial proper on July 6.

“Malamang matatapos ang pre-trial natin kung hindi bukas, sa makalawa,” Diokno said.

The House prosecutor explained that the process takes time because both the prosecution and defense are required to identify, mark and organize the documentary evidence they intend to present during the trial.

“Hindi lang naman ang prosecution ang magmamarka ng ebidensya, pati ang depensa. Kaya may kani-kaniyang mga markings po ‘yan, talagang kakain ng panahon ‘yan,” he said.

Diokno also downplayed reports of alleged tensions during the first pre-trial conference held on June 18, saying disagreements between opposing sides are a normal part of legal proceedings.

“Sa pre-trial, kahit sa korte ‘yan, siyempre magkaiba ang pananaw ng magkabilang panig. At natural lang ‘yan na iba ang mga sasabihin nila. At natural din na magkakaroon ng kontra-kontrahan,” Diokno said.

“Pero wala naman talagang nangyari na sabihin na lang natin kakaiba doon sa ating pre-trial,” he added.

Despite the extensive review of documentary evidence, Diokno said there is no indication that the trial timetable will be moved.

“Wala naman po. Hindi uurong ‘yan. Basta sa aming kaalaman ay tuloy ang pag-start ng trial July 6,” he said.

The Senate impeachment court is currently conducting pre-trial proceedings to streamline the presentation of evidence and issues before the formal trial begins.