Barbers: Sara Duterte impeachment trial may be shortened if evidence suffices

House prosecution panel adviser and Surigao Del Norte Rep. Robert Ace Barbers on Sunday said the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte could be shortened if the evidence presented is deemed sufficient, ahead of the start of proceedings on Monday, July 6.

“Sa aking paniwala, hindi naman siguro kailangan ang lahat po ng ’yan ay ma-representa o mailatag dahil may mga articles naman na naka-schedule na sa huli na tatalakayin kung saan karamihan ng ating ebidensya at mga witnesses ay nakalatag,” Barbers said in an interview on Super Radyo dzBB.

(I don’t think it is necessary for all of those to be presented since there are articles scheduled later where most of our evidence and witnesses will already be laid out.)

Barbers said the prosecution may opt to shorten the proceedings if it believes it has already established its case.

“If the prosecution team believes na sufficient na ang kanilang nailatag na ebidensya at nasuri na ito nang mabuti ng ating impeachment court at na-counter na ito ng defense, siguro magkakaroon ng kasunduan na umiksi ang trial,” he added.

(If the prosecution team believes the evidence it has presented is already sufficient, has been thoroughly examined by the Impeachment Court, and has been adequately countered by the defense, then there may be an agreement to shorten the trial.)

Barbers made the statement after Senate President Sherwin Gatchalian appealed for a shorter trial schedule.

“Nanawagan kami sa kanila na iksian yung kanilang trial at mabawasan ang kanilang testigo kung kayang bawasan," Gatchalian said in a separate dzBB interview.

(We are urging them to shorten the trial and reduce the number of witnesses, if possible.)

"Kung corroborative naman, for example, baka puwedeng isa or dalawa na lang imbes na mas marami, so mas mabilis matapos, mas maganda ’yan sa lahat,” he added.

(For example, if the witnesses are merely corroborative, perhaps one or two would suffice instead of several. That would help conclude the proceedings faster, which would be better for everyone.)

Duterte’s impeachment trial is set to begin at 2 p.m. on Monday.

The proceedings will initially be held from Monday to Wednesday at 2 p.m. until the fifth State of the Nation Address of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on July 27.

After the SONA, the trial schedule will shift to Tuesdays to Thursdays at 2 p.m.

The House of Representatives impeached Duterte in May over allegations of culpable violation of the Constitution, graft and corruption, bribery, betrayal of public trust, and other high crimes.

On June 1, Duterte’s camp filed its answer to the Articles of Impeachment and asked the impeachment court to dismiss the case.

Respect for rule of law

Barbers said it would be important for Duterte to attend the trial as a sign of respect for the rule of law.

“Kung ako ang tatanungin, talagang mas mahalaga na nandoon siya nang sa ganoon ay ipakita niya na siya ay rumerespeto sa ating rule of law," he said.

(If you ask me, it would be more important for her to be there to show her respect for the rule of law.)

"Siya ay handang sumuporta at ipakita ang kanyang paniniwala sa issue ng accountability at, of course, pagrespeto sa Impeachment Court na binubuo ng ating mga senador,” the lawmaker added.

(It would show that she upholds accountability and respects the Impeachment Court, which is composed of our senators.)

In a separate dzBB interview, Senate Secretary Renato Bantug Jr. said Duterte’s defense team has yet to confirm whether the Vice President will attend Monday’s proceedings, but noted that her presence is not mandatory.

“Sa ngayon, wala pang pasabi ang mga defense counsel kung dadalo ang ating Bise Presidente bukas,” Bantug said.

(As of now, the defense counsel has yet to inform us whether the Vice President will attend tomorrow’s impeachment trial.)

“Sa rules ng ating impeachment trial, hindi obligado ang ating Pangalawang Pangulo na pumunta sa impeachment trial bukas,” he added.

(Under the rules of the impeachment trial, the Vice President is not required to attend tomorrow’s proceedings.)—MCG, GMA News