Prosecution conducting mock trials to prepare for VP Sara impeachment

MANILA, Philippines — The House prosecution panel has started conducting mock trials as part of its preparations for the upcoming impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte.

Lead prosecutor and Batangas 2nd District Rep. Gerville Luistro said the exercise is part of the panel’s intensified preparations as she admitted that some members of the panel have had limited courtroom practice since entering public service.

“It’s like we returned to Bar review, because we needed to read again the rules of evidence, the trial techniques and we need to prepare the necessary questions which we must propound on the occasion of the direct examination,” she said yesterday.

She said preparations for the impeachment trial are in “full swing” and they are confident they will be ready to face the impeachment court.

Test senators’ impartiality

Beyond the impeachment of Vice President Duterte, the Senate itself will also be put to the test on whether it can uphold political neutrality and carry out its constitutional duty as an impeachment court, House trial spokesperson Kabataan party-list Rep. Renee Co said.

“The rules of the Senate provide that the senator-judges must maintain political neutrality at all times as the trial goes on. So now, we have different senators who are already on record putting their sides,” Co said over ANC.

Co stressed that the impeachment trial will not only determine the fate of Duterte, but will also serve as a measure of the Senate’s ability to protect the integrity of the constitutional process.

She also expressed hope that senators would ultimately decide based on evidence and constitutional duty rather than political loyalties.

Co said the Senate’s tentative schedule for the impeachment trial of the Vice President is a step in the right direction, but whether half-day hearings three times a week will be enough for the proceedings is something the prosecution panel has yet to determine.

“We’ll have to see whether the half-day schedule would be sufficient. But if it will be happening every day, as per the rules of the Senate and as already candidly shared, then we’ll see that the trial proceeding forthwith will satisfy that mandate,” she said.

Sen. Erwin Tulfo earlier said the proposed trial schedule would run three days a week, starting around 2 p.m. or 3 p.m., leaving the remaining days for committee hearings, pending motions or regular sessions.