House panel, VP Duterte's camp submit pre-trial briefs ahead of July 6 trial

The House prosecution panel and Vice President Sara Duterte’s legal team have both submitted their respective pre-trial briefs on Monday, June 15 ahead of the pre-trial conference on June 18.

The House prosecution team's pre-trial brief listed all the evidence, witnesses, and proposed agreements with the defense panel before the Senate impeachment court.

Lead impeachment prosecutor Batangas Representative Gerville Luistro earlier said they will have over 30 witnesses listed in their pre-trial brief.

Additional witnesses were included in view of the rule that witnesses and exhibits not listed in the pre-trial brief will not be allowed to be presented during trial, Luistro also said.

Meanwhile, the Vice President’s defense team also confirmed that they already submitted their pre-trial brief at 5:50 p.m.

“We will refrain from discussing the substance of the filing at this time, out of respect for the ongoing proceedings and in accordance with Rule XVIII of the Senate Rules on Impeachment,” said lawyer Michael Poa in a statement.

The Articles of Impeachment approved by the House for Senate action accuse the Vice President of culpable violation of the Constitution, graft and corruption, betrayal of public trust, bribery and other high crimes.

The impeachment trial will begin on July 6. — BAP, GMA News