MANILA, Philippines – Hinimok ni Lead House prosecutor Batangas Rep. Gerville Luistro ang defense team ni Vice President Sara Duterte na magpresenta lamang ng “competent” witness sa impeachment trial.
Ito ay tugon ni Luistro sa sinabi ni lead defense counsel Sheila Sison na plano ng defense panel na magharap pa ng walo hanggang 10 indibidwal sa witness stand.
“To the question of whether the proceedings can be expedited, I hope they will review the list of their last batch of eight to 10 witnesses and just concentrate on presenting substantial and competent evidence,” ani Luistro.
“Because if the evidence is neither competent nor substantial, I think we are just wasting the time of the impeachment court,” dagdag pa niya.
“Our understanding is that those eight to 10 individuals will be their final witnesses for the rest of the defense’s presentation of evidence; that is what they said,” sinabi pa ng mambabatas.
Samantala, binatikos din ni Luistro ang presentasyon ng depensa nitong linggo at sinabing ito ay “not explosive,” at iginiit na tinutukan nito ang maliliit na isyu sa halip na kontrahin ang mga malalaking alegasyon ng prosekusyon sa unexplained wealth ni Duterte.
“As to the timeline, we heard from the presiding officer that our remaining trial dates for November are the 19th and 20th. There will be no session on the 23rd because that entire week will already be dedicated to budget hearings,” ayon kay Luistro.
“So, after the hearings on Nov. 19 and 20, the next sessions will be in December. They also announced that they will release the December trial schedule this coming week,” dagdag pa niya.
Nauna nang nagpahayag ang ilang senator-judge na umaasa silang matatapos ang impeachment trial bago mag-Chrsitmas break sa susunod na buwan. RNT/JGC
