Luistro: Prosecution, defense laid out 'roadmap' for Sara Duterte impeachment trial

Lead House prosecutor and Batangas Rep. Gerville Luistro on Monday expressed confidence that both the prosecution and defense had laid down the roadmap for the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte after the pre-trial conference, the terms of which will be formalized in a pre-trial order expected on June 25.

Speaking to reporters after Monday’s resumed pre-trial conference, Luistro said matters not included in the pre-trial order generally could no longer be introduced during the impeachment trial.

“This (pre-trial order) is supposed to serve as the blueprint, the guide, the roadmap in the upcoming impeachment trial,” Luistro said.

“In other words, matters which were not incorporated in the pre-trial order cannot be presented during the trial,” she added.

Luistro said the pre-trial conference allows both the prosecution and defense panels to determine which facts and issues are undisputed and which remain contested.

She said these agreed facts, along with the disputed issues and controversies, will be reflected in the pre-trial order that will govern the proceedings.

However, Luistro declined to discuss details of the evidence, witnesses and stipulations tackled during the conference.

“Please understand that we cannot dwell on the merits of this impeachment trial and that includes the details on the stipulation of facts, the list of witnesses, and even the marking of documents,” she said.

Asked about the atmosphere during the proceedings, Luistro said both camps remained firm in their respective positions.

“The atmosphere is very passionate in a sense that the prosecution is very much committed to prove its case while the defense is likewise very much committed to prove the innocence of the respondent,” she said.

Luistro also addressed questions about the cordial exchanges between lawyers from both sides before the proceedings began.

“All of us are lawyers. We must be cordial with each other because we belong to the same legal profession,” she said.

“Nevertheless, of course, we are committed to our respective causes. The prosecution is here to prove its case in this impeachment trial. But the defense is there in order to prove the innocence of the respondent.”

Meanwhile, Luistro said the prosecution had sought to expedite the pre-trial process, particularly the marking of documentary evidence related to the alleged misuse of confidential funds.

She said the prosecution proposed creating three separate teams to handle the voluminous documentary exhibits for Article I of the impeachment complaint.

But the defense objected, citing a lack of enough lawyers to join a third team.

“We understand that and, as a matter of fact, we consider that as one of the limitations and challenges in our objective to proceed and terminate at the soonest possible time the instant pre-trial conference,” Luistro said.

She also clarified that no documentary evidence was removed or stricken from the records during the pre-trial proceedings, noting that questions on admissibility would be taken up during the trial proper.—MCG, GMA News