MANILA – The House prosecution panel said it has no concerns if the Senate impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte stretches to as long as seven or eight months, saying it is prepared to fully present its evidence before the impeachment court.

Speaking in a radio interview, prosecution panel member and Manila 3rd District Rep. Joel Chua said the prosecution remains committed to presenting evidence for every article of impeachment.

“Basta tayo po ay gagawin lamang po namin sa abot na aming makakaya, lahat ng aming magagawa para mai-presenta sa ating mga kababayan at impeachment court ang mga ebidensya base po sa per artikulo,” Chua said.

“Wala pong bibitiw,” he added.

Chua made the remarks after Senate President Sherwin Gatchalian said the impeachment trial could run for seven to eight months, longer than the three-month estimate earlier mentioned by lead prosecutor Batangas 2nd District Rep. Gerville “Jinky Bitrics” Luistro.

He clarified, however, that the prosecution’s proposed 62 presentation days should not be interpreted as the trial’s actual duration.

“Pero hindi naman ibig sabihin noon lahat ’yan masusunod,” Chua said.

According to Chua, the estimate assumes only one witness will testify during each hearing. He said the proceedings could be shortened if prosecutors present two or three witnesses in a single hearing. The prosecution has identified 57 potential witnesses.

He also said the prosecution may opt not to present all four articles of impeachment if it believes the evidence already introduced is sufficient to secure a conviction.

“Kung saka-sakali po halimbawa dumating pagkaraan po ng dalawang articles, sa tingin po namin ay may sapat na numero na at talagang matibay na matibay na ebidensya na nai-presenta namin, eh pwede naman din po dumating ang pagkakataon ay i-waive na namin ‘yung ibang articles,” he said.

Chua also explained why the number of documentary evidence increased during the five-day pretrial conference conducted behind closed doors at the Senate.

He said the prosecution has around 4,000 acknowledgment receipts related to confidential funds. However, because the defense rejected a common marking procedure and instead requested separate markings, the number of processed documents doubled.

“Pwede naman kasi ’yung common marking, ibig sabihin po sa isang dokumento puwedeng ’yung defense at saka ’yung prosecution eh doon na lang magmarka sa isang dokumento,” Chua said.

“Pero nangyari dahil ayaw pumayag ng defense at gusto nila separate marking yung gawin sa kanila, so ’yung 4,000 dokumento naging 8,000,” he added.

Chua also clarified that senator-judges will not vote after the presentation of each article of impeachment. Instead, voting will only take place after the prosecution completes its presentation, including any articles it may decide to waive.

“Halimbawa sa tingin namin hanggang Article 3 lang, or hanggang Article 2 lang, pwede na naming i-waive ‘yung dalawa, saka pa lamang mabobotohan kada article. So kailangan tapusin muna lahat,” he said.

The Senate impeachment court is set to begin the trial proper on July 6. Duterte is facing impeachment over allegations that include threats against President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and other top officials, misuse of confidential funds, bribery involving Department of Education personnel, and unexplained wealth.

Chua said the prosecution is not obligated to present every witness or every article if the evidence already introduced is enough to establish its case. The panel previously said it intends to present the articles in the following order: the alleged threats against top government officials, misuse of confidential funds, bribery involving Department of Education personnel, and unexplained wealth.