MANILA — The House of Representatives’ prosecution panel in the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte will no longer file a comment on the Senate impeachment court’s pre-trial order to avoid delaying the start of the proceedings on July 6.

In a report, it said that House prosecution panel spokesperson Atty. Benjamin Tolosa said the panel decided against submitting a comment because it sees no significant issues in the pre-trial order that require correction.

“We will not be filing a Comment on the Pre-Trial Order to avoid any possibility that it could be used to delay the hearing on July 6. In any event, there are no significant issues in the Pre-Trial Order that require correction,” Tolosa said.

The prosecution panel had until Thursday to submit its comment on the pre-trial order.

House impeachment prosecutor and Bicol Saro Rep. Terry Ridon also said the panel sees no need to add further comments.

“Tingin ko naman po, wala na pong kailangang idagdag pa dito po sa mga komento sa pre-trial order,” Ridon said.

“Lalo’t higit, very important po sa amin yun pong pagsisimula na po without further delay ito pong July 6, first trial date ng impeachment po ni Vice President Sara Duterte,” he added.

Ridon, however, said the House prosecution panel will continue to pursue its manifestations seeking the opening of the sealed box submitted by the Bureau of Internal Revenue and the participation of private prosecutors in examining witnesses and evidence.

“Tuloy pa rin naman po yung manifestations. So if it gets taken up during the first day of trial, then it is something that will be resolved on the first day of trial on Monday,” Ridon said.

He also said the prosecution panel will submit its witness list for the three trial dates scheduled next week in compliance with the Senate’s pre-trial order.

“Magfa-file ng submission yung prosecution panel doon po sa witness list, ano pong isasalang pong mga witnesses sa darating pong linggo. So, antayin na lang po natin yung pong pinal na mga pangalan. Hopefully, in the next couple of days, ma-disclose po sino po yung mga witnesses na isasalang,” Ridon said.

The prosecution’s first set of witnesses will support the article of impeachment concerning Duterte’s alleged threats against President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., First Lady Liza Marcos and former House Speaker Martin Romualdez, which will be the first article presented during the trial.