Prosecution seeks 62 trial dates; defense asks for 30

House prosecutors have requested 62 trial dates for the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte — more than double the 30 days sought by the defense — according to newly appointed prosecution spokesperson Benjamin Tolosa.

Speaking to reporters on Monday, Tolosa said the proposed dates would cover the presentation of witnesses and documentary evidence.

“Thirty trial dates for the defense and 62 trial dates for the prosecution,” Tolosa said.

He clarified, however, that the figures are only proposals and may still change depending on how the proceedings unfold and on the ruling of the Senate sitting as an impeachment court.

“It doesn’t necessarily mean that we will need 62 days, for example, because if the court (were to) allow us to present two witnesses per day, then it will be shorter. So it will depend on how it will actually unfold during the trial,” Tolosa said.

He added that the final number of trial dates would ultimately be determined by the impeachment court.

“It will depend on the impeachment court’s discretion. We will see in the pre-trial order, once it is issued, the actual number of days that will be allocated for each party,” he said.

House Lead Prosecutor Gerville Luistro earlier said the impeachment proceedings could extend beyond September, citing the volume of witnesses and documentary evidence expected from both sides.

“If I will consider the number of witnesses and exhibits of both parties, mukhang hindi kakayanin na hanggang September lang,” Luistro said.

(If I consider the number of witnesses and exhibits of both parties, it appears the proceedings may not be completed by September.)

She stressed, however, that the duration of the trial remains subject to the impeachment court’s discretion.

“It will be the impeachment court who will have the final say kung ilan ang trial dates na ipagkakaloob sa prosecution in the same way kung ilan ang trial dates na ipagkakaloob sa depensa,” Luistro added.

(It will be the impeachment court that will have the final say on how many trial dates will be granted to the prosecution and, similarly, to the defense.)—MCG, GMA News