MANILA — The Senate impeachment court will allow both the House prosecution panel and the defense team of Vice President Sara Duterte to present surprise witnesses during the impeachment trial, Senate Secretary Renato Bantug Jr. said.

In a report, it said that Bantug, who also serves as clerk of the Senate impeachment court, said parties may present witnesses not previously identified during the pre-trial conference, provided that prior notice is given to the opposing side.

“Both parties have the right to make reservations as to witnesses that may not be available yet during the pre-trial, and they will inform the parties of calling such witnesses at least three days before the presentation. That is allowed,” Bantug told reporters.

The pre-trial conference resumed on June 22 following its initial session on June 18. Bantug said the panel aims to complete the marking of documentary evidence for Articles I and II within the day.

He also said the pre-trial order could be released by June 25, in line with the impeachment calendar, which sets its issuance between June 18 and June 25.

“Hopefully, we can have it out even before that, but it’s a tight schedule considering we are only about two weeks away from the trial,” he said.

The pre-trial conference serves as the preliminary stage where prosecution and defense panels coordinate procedures before senator-judges formally convene as an impeachment court on July 6.

The House of Representatives impeached Duterte in May over allegations of culpable violation of the Constitution, graft and corruption, bribery, betrayal of public trust, and other high crimes.

On June 1, Duterte’s defense team filed its answer to the Articles of Impeachment and asked the impeachment court to dismiss the case.