Impeachment trial seen finished before Christmas break

MANILA, Philippines — The impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte could be over before Congress goes on Christmas break, considering the timeline of the defense to present its evidence.

This was House prosecution panel adviser Robert Ace Barbers’ estimation, noting that the defense is asking only for eight trial days to refute allegations of unexplained wealth and a total of 30 days for the entire duration of their turn.  

“Following that (timeline) of only eight trial days, then impeachment trial can possibly be over in two weeks’ time,” he said, pointing out that before trial adjourned for the Halloween recess, the Senate impeachment court has been conducting whole-day hearings from Monday through Friday.

“Because if it will only be eight days, remember during our previous Mondays to Fridays hearings, it was not like the first from 10 a.m.,” the former Surigao del Norte congressman said.

“So, what will happen here is that if it can be done, they have the option to exhaust probably all the 30 days that they have asked just to be able to present their evidence,” Barbers noted.

Before trial adjourned, the prosecution dropped the three Articles of Impeachment on grave threats, confidential fund misuse and bribery, and decided to focus instead on the more heavy charges of unexplained wealth.

In approving the dropping of the three articles, impeachment court presiding officer Francis Escudero said the defense no longer needed to present evidence on the withdrawn charges.

Based on the November trial schedule Escudero announced last Oct. 13, the impeachment court would conduct hearings from 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. on Nov. 9, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Nov. 10, 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. on Nov. 11, 10 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. on Nov. 12, 13, 19 and 20, and 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Nov. 23.

There will be no trial on Nov. 30 due to the Bonifacio Day holiday.

abtestabtest Fact check: Edited clip turns Castro's Duterte remarks into attack on Marcos 1 day ago An edited video falsely suggests Palace Press Officer Claire Castro accused President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. of marijuana use... Headlines Premature to talk about VP replacement – Palace By Helen Flores | 1 day ago It’s premature to talk about a possible replacement for Vice President Sara Duterte while her impeachment trial is ongoing,... Headlines JV open to inviting budget watchdogs to bicam hearings By Marc Jayson Cayabyab | 1 day ago Senate finance committee chairman JV Ejercito is open to inviting civil society organizations  to the bicameral conference... Headlines Who replaces VP Sara? Lacson says Cayetano can’t tie Marcos’ hands By Cristina Chi | 1 day ago Sen. Ping Lacson questioned why Senate Minority Leader Alan Peter Cayetano would ask senator-judges to swear off the vice... Headlines Bernardo: Jinggoy got P573 million in kickbacks in 4 tranches By Daphne Galvez | 8 hours ago Former public works undersecretary and state witness Roberto Bernardo testified yesterday before the Sandiganbayan that detained... Headlines Latest More in Headlines Marcos: Don’t panic over weakening peso AMLC tapped in P3.5 billion Laos drug haul probe Gibo calls for stronger unity among Asean members Prosecution to defense: Don’t delay impeach trial abtest Schools told: Use operating funds to buy electric fans By Bella Cariaso | 8 hours ago Schools can use their maintenance funds to purchase electric fans and mitigate the impact of the super El Niño during... Headlines PNP launches hotlines for tipsters on Bato By Emmanuel Tupas | 8 hours ago  The Philippine National Police has opened five 24/7 hotlines and guaranteed confidentiality for tipsters who can provide... Headlines DBM: NCA utilization rate at 96.6% By Aubrey Rose Inosante | 8 hours ago Government agencies utilized 96.6 percent of their notices of cash allocation (NCA) as of end-September, while the Department... Headlines Digital apps with violent history must prove safety – Angara By Bella Cariaso | 8 hours ago Applications with a history of being used for violence should prove their social media platforms are safe for children, Education... Headlines US, Japan seen as Philippines’ vital partners By Janvic Mateo | 8 hours ago majority of Filipinos consider the United States and Japan as the Philippines’ most important partners for economic... Headlines Recommended Prosecution to defense: Don’t delay impeach trial 8 hours ago Lawyers of Vice President Sara Duterte should not engage in delaying tactics in presenting her defense before the Senate impeachment... HeadlinesSARASARA DUTERTE Aplasca files reply to direct assault rap 8 hours ago Former Senate sergeant-at-arms Mao Aplasca has filed his counter-affidavit on the direct assault complaint filed against him... HeadlinesAPLASCAMAO Premature to talk about VP replacement – Palace 1 day ago It’s premature to talk about a possible replacement for Vice President Sara Duterte while her impeachment trial is ongoing,... HeadlinesSARA DUTERTE JV open to inviting budget watchdogs to bicam hearings 1 day ago Senate finance committee chairman JV Ejercito is open to inviting civil society organizations  to the bicameral conference... HeadlinesLACSONSENATE Fact check: Edited clip turns Castro's Duterte remarks into attack on Marcos 1 day ago An edited video falsely suggests Palace Press Officer Claire Castro accused President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. of marijuana use... HeadlinesBONGBONG MARCOSFACT CHECKFACT-CHECK next Recommended Prosecution to defense: Don’t delay impeach trial Lawyers of Vice President Sara Duterte should not engage in delaying tactics in presenting her defense before the Senate impeachment court, nor should they employ any filibuster methods to drag the case even further. 8 hours ago SARA SARA DUTERTE Aplasca files reply to direct assault rap Former Senate sergeant-at-arms Mao Aplasca has filed his counter-affidavit on the direct assault complaint filed against him over the May 13 Senate shooting. 8 hours ago APLASCA MAO Premature to talk about VP replacement – Palace It’s premature to talk about a possible replacement for Vice President Sara Duterte while her impeachment trial is ongoing, Malacañang said yesterday. 1 day ago SARA DUTERTE JV open to inviting budget watchdogs to bicam hearings Senate finance committee chairman JV Ejercito is open to inviting civil society organizations  to the bicameral conference committee hearings on the proposed P7.2-trillion national budget for 2027, after the groups flagged up to P1 trillion in potential pork barrel funds in the House of Representatives’ version of the spending bill. 1 day ago LACSON SENATE Fact check: Edited clip turns Castro's Duterte remarks into attack on Marcos An edited video falsely suggests Palace Press Officer Claire Castro accused President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. of marijuana use and fentanyl abuse. 1 day ago BONGBONG MARCOS FACT CHECK FACT-CHECK OK Are you sure you want to log out? Yes No X Login Philstar.com is one of the most vibrant, opinionated, discerning communities of readers on cyberspace. With your meaningful insights, help shape the stories that can shape the country. Sign up now!