Senate ready for Sara’s impeachment trial as preparations enter final phase

THE Senate is ready for the impeachment trial of Vice-President Sara Duterte-Carpio, Senate President Sherwin T. Gatchalian said on Tuesday, as preparations entered the final stage with the inspection of security arrangements and the venue of the trial, which starts on July 6.

“We are very prepared,” he told reporters during an inspection at the Senate. “We are ready. In fact, today is the physical inspection, and we will continue to make improvements as we go along.”

He said the impeachment court would still have 24 seats for senator-judges despite the suspension of Senator Jose “Jinggoy” P. Ejercito Estrada following his arrest on plunder charges and the absence of Senator Ronald “Bato” M. dela Rosa, who remains at large after an arrest warrant linked to the International Criminal Court investigation into the Duterte administration’s anti-illegal drug campaign.

Mr. Gatchalian also said the Senate would accommodate as many as 150 members of the public who wish to observe the proceedings in person after easing heightened security measures.

“We have a visitor management system,” he said. “That is where they’ll register. Not all can be accommodated. It will be on a first-come, first-served basis.”

On Monday evening, Mr. Gatchalian signed the pre-trial order, which has been transmitted to both the prosecution and defense teams.

The House of Representatives prosecution panel listed 57 witnesses, including “Mary Grace Piattos,” who allegedly received confidential funds from the Office of the Vice-President, and Ramil S. Madriaga, who previously claimed to have served as Ms. Duterte’s bagman.

The defense identified 45 witnesses, including Mr. Madriaga, former Executive Secretary Lucas P. Bersamin and former Budget Secretary Amenah F. Pangandaman.

Seventeen witnesses appear on both parties’ lists, including former Senator Antonio F. Trillanes IV, Ms. Pangandaman and Ombudsman Jesus Crispin C. Remulla.

The impeachment court released the pre-trial order four days after the five-day pre-trial conference concluded, later than its initial target date of June 25.

Under the order, hearings are scheduled at 2 p.m. every Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday until July 27. Beginning July 28, sessions will start at 3 p.m. every Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday until the trial concludes.

The prosecution proposed 62 trial dates, while the defense proposed 30.

Based on the pre-trial order, Article I, which covers the alleged misuse and misappropriation of confidential funds, accounts for 31 proposed trial dates. Article II, which deals with alleged unexplained wealth, has 12 trial dates, while Article III has eight. Article IV, which concerns the alleged assassination plot against the President, his wife and the former Speaker, has 11 proposed trial dates.

The impeachment court also approved the use of both English and Filipino during the proceedings, a proposal earlier sought by the prosecution, and directed both parties to submit comments on the pre-trial order within three days of receiving it.

Ms. Duterte faces four articles of impeachment accusing her of misuse of confidential funds, unexplained wealth, bribery and plotting to assassinate President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr., First Lady Louise Araneta-Marcos and Leyte Rep. and ex-Speaker Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez.

She has denied the allegations. — Kaela Patricia B. Gabriel