MANILA — The defense team in the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte may wrap up its presentation earlier than initially expected, with only 10 additional witnesses expected to take the stand, according to the House prosecution.

House prosecution spokesperson Rep. Zia Alonto Adiong of Lanao del Sur’s 1st District said Sunday that the defense had yet to submit the names of its 10 proposed witnesses, which were expected on Saturday.

“Inaasahan po natin kung saan po, at ganito po ’yung pacing natin, eh, mukhang magkakaroon po tayo ng mas shorter na trial days,” Adiong said.

He cautioned, however, that the timeline would depend on the defense team’s strategy and the impeachment court’s decision on requests to subpoena additional witnesses.

House Deputy Speaker Janette Garin also anticipated an earlier conclusion of the defense’s presentation, projecting that the trial could end before December.

The defense began presenting its evidence on November 9. Its witnesses so far include Davao City assessor Jaime Adalin, Island Garden City of Samal City Assessor John Kenneth Enumerables, Davao City Accountant Vingelin Bajan, lawyer Suzette Balucanag-Punay, and Chadrin Parian and Arnel Antero, friends of Manases Carpio, Duterte’s husband.

Garin said she was surprised by the testimonies of some defense witnesses concerning the questioned properties and financial transactions involving Duterte and Carpio.

“Kasi parang napipilitan silang i-depensa ang mga bagay-bagay na hindi kayang i-depensa. Defending the indefensible is very difficult,” she said.

The defense earlier withdrew 15 bank representatives from its witness list.

Defense counsel and spokesperson Michael Poa had previously said the team intended to use the 30-day period indicated in its pretrial brief to present witnesses who could counter the allegations against the vice president without unnecessarily extending the proceedings.

“It’s still too early to talk about that. It’s just the first day of our presentation,” Poa told reporters at the Senate when asked whether Duterte herself would testify.

He made the statement on November 9, the first day of the defense’s presentation and the 40th day of the impeachment trial.

Following the defense’s presentation, the Senate impeachment court will proceed with the formal offer of defense evidence, prosecution comments and closing arguments before issuing its verdict.

The proceedings are focused on Article II of the impeachment complaint, the only remaining article after the House prosecution withdrew three others.

The charge concerns allegations that Duterte accumulated unexplained wealth, failed to fully and truthfully disclose her assets, liabilities and net worth in her Statements of Assets, Liabilities and Net Worth (SALNs), and failed to divest her business interests while serving as vice president.

The trial is scheduled to resume on November 19 at 10 a.m.