MANILA — The House prosecution panel clarified that no documentary evidence has been excluded from the impeachment proceedings against Vice President Sara Z. Duterte during the ongoing pretrial conference before the Senate impeachment court.

House lead prosecutor Rep. Gerville “Jinky Bitrics” Luistro of Batangas made the clarification following questions on whether any records, documentary exhibits, or witness lists presented by both parties had been stricken off during pretrial proceedings.

“As to striking off records, no. That is not supposed to happen during pre-trial conference,” Luistro said in a press briefing at the Senate.

“By striking off, you are addressing the admissibility of the documentary exhibits, and that is not allowed,” she added, stressing that such matters are not properly taken up during pretrial.

Luistro said issues concerning the admissibility of evidence will only be addressed once the impeachment trial proper formally begins.

She also declined to provide further details on the evidence, witnesses, and stipulations of fact being discussed during the pretrial, citing limitations on commenting on the merits of the case.

“Please understand that we cannot dwell on the merits of this impeachment trial, and that includes the details on the stipulation of facts, the list of witnesses, and even the marking of documents,” she said.

Luistro described the pretrial atmosphere as intense but orderly, with both prosecution and defense panels actively pursuing their respective positions.

“The atmosphere is very passionate in the sense that the prosecution is very much committed to prove its case, while the defense is likewise very much committed to prove the innocence of the respondent,” she said.

The prosecution and defense teams are currently finalizing the marking of documentary exhibits ahead of the issuance of a pretrial order by the Senate impeachment court.

The impeachment trial of Vice President Duterte is scheduled to begin on July 6.