Photo credit: Senate PH

The House prosecution panel believes it got off to a strong start in the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte and says even stronger evidence will be presented when the proceedings resume next week.

After the third day of hearings, members of the prosecution panel described the opening week of the trial as productive but stressed that the outcome will ultimately depend on the strength of the evidence—not on courtroom exchanges or the number of objections raised by either side.

House impeachment prosecutor and San Juan Rep. Ysabel Maria Zamora said the panel was satisfied with how it presented its case during the trial's first week.

"No, I wouldn't say that, but I would say that it was a good week for the prosecution," Zamora said when asked whether the prosecution had gained the upper hand.

Former Surigao del Norte Rep. Robert Ace Barbers, who serves as an impeachment adviser and spokesperson for the prosecution, urged the public not to draw conclusions too early.

"Umpisa pa lang naman ng 'boxing,' ika nga. Kumbaga kung sa basketball, first quarter pa lang ito," Barbers said.

House prosecutor and 1-Rider Party-list Rep. Rodge Gutierrez echoed the sentiment, saying many people have begun treating the impeachment proceedings like a competition based on how many motions or objections each side wins.

"In addition to that, and I think we've noticed that since day one, medyo if we look at public perception, naging tally na 'yung nangyayari dito, nagbibilangan ng puntos kumbaga."

"But I think it's very important to remember that this is not the process — the whole process of impeachment trial. It's not about 'yung paramihan ng mga motion that was granted, or paramihan ng mga puntos na binibilang ng ating mga kababayan na nanonood," Gutierrez said.

Instead, Gutierrez emphasized that the trial should be judged by the quality of the evidence presented and whether it can withstand examination before the Senate impeachment court.

"The question really ultimately is whether or not, at the end of the day, evidence is left standing. So it's all about whether the foundation of the evidence is set, is laid out properly, and that the evidence is laid out in a clearly understood manner."

He added that only the senator-judges—not the prosecution or the defense—can determine whether that burden has been met.

The prosecutors also downplayed public attention over the frequent objections raised during Wednesday's cross-examination of the prosecution's first witness after Presiding Officer Sen. Francis Escudero remarked that private prosecutor Amando Virgil Ligutan appeared frustrated.

Zamora said objections are a normal part of any court proceeding and should not be interpreted as a measure of who is winning the case.

"In any court case, in any trial, nangyayari naman po yan talaga between lawyers. Siguro gusto namin din ipaalam sa lahat na ang isang trial hindi napapanalunan sa daming mga motion mong nag-grant ng judge o ng justice."

She added that both the prosecution and defense have consistently raised objections as part of their duty to protect their respective cases.

Looking ahead, the prosecution hinted that more significant evidence will be introduced when the impeachment trial resumes next week.

House prosecution legal spokesperson Atty. Benjamin Tolosa Jr. confirmed that the panel is preparing to present additional evidence but declined to reveal details.

"Meron ho kaming matibay na ebidensya na ilalabas sa susunod na linggo."

Tolosa said the panel could not elaborate because of the sub judice rule, which prohibits discussion of matters that have yet to be presented before the impeachment court.

"Because of the sub judice rule, we cannot talk about matters which were not yet discussed in the impeachment proceedings."

"That's why we're begging for your patience at this time."

He said the evidence can be discussed publicly once it has been formally introduced through witnesses.

"Pag nailatag na ho 'yan ng witnesses namin, pwede na natin pag-usapan."

The prosecution is expected to continue presenting its case under Article IV of the Articles of Impeachment, which accuses Duterte of making grave threats against President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos, and former Speaker of the House Martin Romualdez.

National Bureau of Investigation Regional Director Jeremy Lotoc is scheduled to testify on Monday, followed by Office of the Vice President Chief of Staff Atty. Zuleika Lopez on Tuesday and House Office of the Sergeant-at-Arms officer Capt. Belinda Bello on Wednesday.

Zamora reminded the public that the prosecution has only begun presenting evidence on Article IV and encouraged Filipinos to continue following the impeachment proceedings as more witnesses take the stand in the coming weeks.

"Umpisa pa lang po ito."

"Hindi pa po tapos ang pagpresenta ng mga witness patungkol sa Article IV o 'yung grave threats article."