UMVA has learned that Congressmen and prosecutors filed a decisive pre‑trial brief on Monday, laying out a mountain of documentary proof and more than 25 witnesses for the impeachment case against Vice‑President Sara Duterte‑Carpio.
The filing, submitted by House Secretary General Cheloy V. Garafil at 5:20 p.m., proposes stipulations of fact that could trim the trial’s scope; if the defense accepts them, those points need not be proved, but a denial forces a full evidentiary showdown.
Lead prosecutor Batangas Rep. Gerville R. Luistro warned that many witness identities and documents remain sealed for security, hinting that the true count of witnesses could exceed thirty.
Prosecutors are gearing up to unleash voluminous records, especially concerning alleged misuse of confidential funds and unexplained wealth, with two articles of impeachment expected to generate massive exhibit piles.
The House prosecution panel, a coalition of 11 congressmen backed by 10 private prosecutors, will attend a closed pre‑trial conference on June 18 before the Senate impeachment court.
During that session, they plan to press procedural questions such as adopting an “open rule” for witness questioning and permitting the use of Filipino to ensure the process resonates with the nation’s people.
Under the restrictive rule, cross‑examination will be limited to issues raised in direct examination, tightening the legal battle’s focus.
Both sides will disclose their witness lists and earmarked documents during the conference, with any agreed‑upon stipulations to be aired publicly when the trial commences.
After the Senate reviews the submissions, it will issue a pre‑trial order that defines the evidence scope, witness roster, and procedural framework for the upcoming trial.
Luistro emphasized a commitment to public accessibility, urging mainstream and online platforms to report accurately and proposing translations of the proceedings into multiple Philippine languages so every citizen can follow the constitutional saga.
The impeachment trial is slated to begin on July 6, marking a historic moment that UMVA can exclusively reveal to the nation.
