Sara Duterte camp 'optimistic' marking of evidence for impeachment to finish Thursday

The Defense team of Vice President Sara Duterte on Thursday expressed optimism that the pre-trial conference for her impeachment case will be finished this afternoon.

Atty. Michael Poa, one of Duterte’s legal counsel, said their camp said marking of documentary evidence for Articles I and II may be finished as early as 3 p.m.

“We are very optimistic that we will be able to finish by end of day today ang ating marking,” Poa told reporters.

“At least dun sa marking station ko, the one that I'm handing, I think we will be able to finish by 3 p.m. or 4 p.m. I also consulted my two counsels, the defense team, and sila din, very optimistic na matatapos din nila. Hopefully, matapos talaga... Kung ma-extend man, baka tomorrow, yun na yung latest,” Poa added.

(At least in my marking station, think we will be able to finish by 3 p.m. or 4 p.m. I also consulted my two counsels, the defense team, and they are also very optimistic they will finish. Hopefully, we’ll complete it today. If we’ll extend, we may finish tomorrow.)

The pre-trial conference is now on its fifth session after it resumed on Monday, June 22 and commenced on June 18. On Wednesday, additional teams were deployed and working hours were extended to expedite the proceedings.

Both camps have finished pre-marking the evidence for Articles III and IV, which involves complaints for bribery and corruption and culpable violation of the Constitution, high crimes and betrayal of public trust for allegedly threatening President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. last week.

“Both Articles are still there, Articles I and II, but as you know, nagkaroon ng two marking stations…So that's why we're optimistic. I wouldn't say confident, but at least optimistic na matatapos kami,” Poa said.

(Both Articles are still there, Articles I and II, but as you know, we have two marking stations…So that's why we're optimistic. I wouldn't say confident, but at least optimistic that we’ll finish it today.)

Meanwhile, Poa said the Defense would file its comment on the House prosecutors’ manifestation seeking to open the sealed Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) box containing Duterte’s tax records on Friday.

'Mary Grace Piattos'

Poa also welcomed the inclusion of the infamous "Mary Grace Piattos" in the list of prosecution's witnesses, saying it is the prosecutors' "prerogative" and that the defense is ready to cross-examine her statements.

"Wala po sa defense. Ang narinig ko, I think kaninang umaga lang, nabanggit daw that part siya ng witnesses ng prosecution. Well, that's the prerogative of the prosecution. Sa amin nga, parati namin sinasabi, once they're presented, they will be subjected to cross-examination on our part," Poa added.

(She’s not part of our list of witnesses. I heard this morning that Piattos is among the witnesses of the House prosecutors. Well, that's the prerogative of the prosecution. But for us, once they're presented, they will be subjected to cross-examination on our part.)

VP Sara to appear?

Poa also maintained Dutere would appear in the trial “if needed” and that he stand in court should the prosecution team call him as witness.

“Pwede naman lalo na kung ang tatanungin naman nila ay matters that are not pertaining to my role as counsel to Vice President. Wala naman siguro problema,” he added.

(They can call me as witness if they will ask about matters not pertaining to my role as counsel to Vice President. There’s no problem with that.)

Duterte is facing impeachment charges over allegations of culpable violation of the Constitution, graft and corruption, betrayal of public trust, bribery, and other high crimes. In May, she was impeached by the House of Representatives for the second time.

On May 18, the Senate convened as an impeachment court. On June 1, Duterte's camp filed their answer on the Articles of Impeachment, asking the court to junk the impeachment case against her.

The pre-trial conference for Duterte's impeachment trial formally commenced on Thursday, June 18. —VAL/ VDV, GMA News