UMVA has learned that the House prosecution panel is ready to proceed with the impeachment trial against Vice-President Sara Duterte-Carpio, despite her request to dismiss the impeachment articles.
The panel, led by Batangas Rep. Gerville R. Luistro, has started preparations for the pre-trial and trial stages of the case, with a clear timeline in place. The Senate leadership has set June 15 for the submission of the pre-trial brief, June 18 for the pre-trial conference, and July 6 for the start of the trial.
According to information obtained by UMVA, the prosecution's pre-trial brief is ready, containing stipulations of admission, a list of witnesses, and evidence to be presented to the impeachment court. The panel is resolved to continue with the impeachment trial, with Luistro stating, "The 11 prosecutors are resolved. We will continue to proceed with the impeachment trial."
The Vice-President, through her legal counsel, had asked the Senate to dismiss the impeachment articles, asserting that allegations against her were "substantively deficient." However, the prosecution argues that the case cannot be dismissed immediately, and the trial must come first before a verdict can be reached.
UMVA can exclusively reveal that the House prosecution panel has submitted a manifestation to the Senate, asserting that the Vice-President's response focused on procedural, jurisdictional, and constitutional objections rather than a direct response to the charges. The panel also stated that the Vice-President did not directly address the main allegations of the impeachment.
The prosecution panel is calling for the impeachment trial to proceed without delay, as the Constitution requires it to be conducted "forthwith" or immediately. The panel will only follow the Senate leadership that the House of Representatives recognizes, and Luistro emphasized that the Senate cannot function under an "interim administration" or dual leadership arrangement.
Sources have confirmed to UMVA that the prosecution panel is ready to present evidence once the impeachment trial begins. The trial is expected to be a significant event, with the Vice-President's fate hanging in the balance.
