Photo credit: Congress PH

House prosecutor and Manila Rep. Joel Chua clarified on Tuesday that the prosecution panel does not intend to consume all 62 days it requested for the presentation of evidence in the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte, saying the proposed schedule merely represents the maximum time they may need to prove their case.

The clarification came after questions were raised over the apparent disparity between the prosecution's request for 62 days and the defense panel's proposed 30-day presentation period.

“Hindi ibig sabihin porke’t 62 days ang aming pino-proposed eh ima-maximize namin ‘yan,” Chua told reporters during a press briefing.

According to Chua, the prosecution's estimate was based on the volume of documentary evidence and the number of witnesses that may need to be presented before the Senate impeachment court, particularly thousands of records related to the vice president's use of confidential funds.

“Nakita naman po ninyo paano mo ipepresenta ‘yung 4,000 documents sa isang confidential fund kung limang araw lang, sampung araw lang, ‘di po ba?” he said.

The House prosecutor dismissed suggestions that the longer timetable was meant to drag out the proceedings or inflict political damage on Duterte ahead of the 2028 elections.

Chua said the prosecution could even shorten its presentation if it believes the evidence submitted under fewer articles of impeachment would already be sufficient to support a conviction.

“So pwedeng dumating ang pagkakataon na sa tingin po namin na dalawang articles pa lang ang aming napipresenta pero matibay na matibay na ang ebidensya. Pwedeng hindi na namin i-presenta ‘yung ibang articles,” he said.

Vice President Duterte was impeached by the House of Representatives in February after more than 200 lawmakers endorsed the complaint, which contains four Articles of Impeachment. The accusations include alleged misuse of confidential and intelligence funds, betrayal of public trust, culpable violation of the Constitution, and graft and corruption.

Preparations for the Senate trial have intensified ahead of the scheduled start of proceedings on July 6. Both the prosecution and defense panels have already submitted their pre-trial briefs outlining the witnesses and documentary evidence they intend to present.

Chua explained that the prosecution sought sufficient time because the final schedule approved during pre-trial would form part of the pre-trial order, which he described as the guide that would govern the entire impeachment proceedings.

“Ang pre-trial order ay magiging bibliya. Ito ay magiging roadmap ng impeachment hearing,” he said.

Because of this, Chua said the prosecution opted to request the maximum amount of time it could reasonably need rather than risk being unable to complete its presentation later on.

Under the 1987 Constitution, a conviction in an impeachment trial requires the votes of at least two-thirds of all members of the Senate. If convicted, Duterte would be removed from office and permanently disqualified from holding any public office. If acquitted, she would remain vice president and could still seek higher office in the future.

The Senate impeachment court is expected to finalize the trial calendar in the coming days as both sides prepare for what is expected to be one of the most closely watched political proceedings in recent years.