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Advocates Philippines
House Prosecutors Shift Focus To NBI Findings In Week 2
SCREENGRAB FROM SENATE PH
The House prosecution panel on Monday said it is shifting its focus from establishing the authenticity of video evidence to presenting the National Bureau of Investigation's (NBI) findings as the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte enters its second week.
After successfully introducing the video of Duterte's November 23, 2024 online press conference during the trial's opening week, prosecutors said they are now moving to the next stage of presenting evidence under Article IV of the Articles of Impeachment.
House prosecution adviser and spokesperson Robert Ace Barbers said the first week laid the foundation for the prosecution's case by establishing the authenticity of the video recording.
"Yung unang linggo nakita natin na ilatag ang ebidensya. At ito naman ay pinatunayan na authentic na ebidensya," Barbers said.
According to Barbers, the prosecution will now present witnesses who will explain the NBI's investigation, including how the bureau handled the case and the basis for its findings.
"Ang resulta ng investigation ay maaaring ilabas. Ano ba yung mga pamantayan kung bakit nagkaroon ng investigation?" he said.
Barbers also said the next witnesses would strengthen the evidence already presented during the trial's first week.
"Ito ngayon magbibigay ng mas matibay na pwersa," he said.
Private prosecutor Atty. Benjamin Tolosa Jr. said the prosecution believes the defense ultimately reinforced its case after using the same video it initially questioned during cross-examination.
"They questioned his credentials and questioned the authenticity of the video. But later on, they conceded its authenticity by using the very same video under cross-examination," Tolosa said.
He explained that the next phase of the trial will provide the investigative context behind the authenticated recording and show what actions the NBI took after reviewing Duterte's statements.
House trial spokesperson Zia Alonto Adiong said the prosecution wants the public to understand the complete sequence of events surrounding the case rather than relying solely on clips circulating online.
"Bibigyan ng konteksto at ipapaliwanag sa atin itong susunod na magiging witness para yung taumbayan mabigyan ng kumpletong larawan kung ano po yung naging investigation, ano po yung naging resulta ng investigation," Adiong said.
The prosecution panel also expressed its willingness to cooperate with the Senate impeachment court's efforts to speed up the proceedings, following calls from some senator-judges to shorten the trial.
Tolosa said prosecutors are open to streamlining their presentation of evidence, provided it does not compromise the quality of their case.
"Kami din naman gusto din naman namin itong matapos sa lalong madaling panahon. Ayaw naman namin tong patagalin unnecessarily, but of course without sacrificing our ability to properly, efficiently and effectively present the evidence," he said.
He added that the prosecution reviews its witness lineup after every hearing and may decide not to call certain witnesses if their intended testimonies have already been covered.
"So we will make adjustments, maaring ibang witnesses na listed sa aming pre-trial brief ang hindi na namin ipatawag. Kung anong intended testimony nila ay natalakay na nang mga naunang testigo dahil iyan din naman ang goal natin kung maaaring mas mapa-igsi, mapabilis natin itong paglilitis na ito, we will try to do that," Tolosa said.
Despite efforts to expedite the proceedings, Tolosa stressed that the prosecution remains focused on presenting a complete and well-supported case.
"Hindi din naman pinag-uusapan itong pabilisan, ang importante rin naman dito mailatag ng mabuti ang ebidensya dahil napaka-seryoso ang pinag uusapan natin na mga charges dito," he said.
The Senate impeachment court is currently hearing Article IV, which accuses Duterte of making grave threats against President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos, and former House Speaker Martin Romualdez. Prosecutors are expected to continue presenting witnesses and documentary evidence in the coming hearings as the trial progresses.
After successfully introducing the video of Duterte's November 23, 2024 online press conference during the trial's opening week, prosecutors said they are now moving to the next stage of presenting evidence under Article IV of the Articles of Impeachment.
House prosecution adviser and spokesperson Robert Ace Barbers said the first week laid the foundation for the prosecution's case by establishing the authenticity of the video recording.
"Yung unang linggo nakita natin na ilatag ang ebidensya. At ito naman ay pinatunayan na authentic na ebidensya," Barbers said.
According to Barbers, the prosecution will now present witnesses who will explain the NBI's investigation, including how the bureau handled the case and the basis for its findings.
"Ang resulta ng investigation ay maaaring ilabas. Ano ba yung mga pamantayan kung bakit nagkaroon ng investigation?" he said.
Barbers also said the next witnesses would strengthen the evidence already presented during the trial's first week.
"Ito ngayon magbibigay ng mas matibay na pwersa," he said.
Private prosecutor Atty. Benjamin Tolosa Jr. said the prosecution believes the defense ultimately reinforced its case after using the same video it initially questioned during cross-examination.
"They questioned his credentials and questioned the authenticity of the video. But later on, they conceded its authenticity by using the very same video under cross-examination," Tolosa said.
He explained that the next phase of the trial will provide the investigative context behind the authenticated recording and show what actions the NBI took after reviewing Duterte's statements.
House trial spokesperson Zia Alonto Adiong said the prosecution wants the public to understand the complete sequence of events surrounding the case rather than relying solely on clips circulating online.
"Bibigyan ng konteksto at ipapaliwanag sa atin itong susunod na magiging witness para yung taumbayan mabigyan ng kumpletong larawan kung ano po yung naging investigation, ano po yung naging resulta ng investigation," Adiong said.
The prosecution panel also expressed its willingness to cooperate with the Senate impeachment court's efforts to speed up the proceedings, following calls from some senator-judges to shorten the trial.
Tolosa said prosecutors are open to streamlining their presentation of evidence, provided it does not compromise the quality of their case.
"Kami din naman gusto din naman namin itong matapos sa lalong madaling panahon. Ayaw naman namin tong patagalin unnecessarily, but of course without sacrificing our ability to properly, efficiently and effectively present the evidence," he said.
He added that the prosecution reviews its witness lineup after every hearing and may decide not to call certain witnesses if their intended testimonies have already been covered.
"So we will make adjustments, maaring ibang witnesses na listed sa aming pre-trial brief ang hindi na namin ipatawag. Kung anong intended testimony nila ay natalakay na nang mga naunang testigo dahil iyan din naman ang goal natin kung maaaring mas mapa-igsi, mapabilis natin itong paglilitis na ito, we will try to do that," Tolosa said.
Despite efforts to expedite the proceedings, Tolosa stressed that the prosecution remains focused on presenting a complete and well-supported case.
"Hindi din naman pinag-uusapan itong pabilisan, ang importante rin naman dito mailatag ng mabuti ang ebidensya dahil napaka-seryoso ang pinag uusapan natin na mga charges dito," he said.
The Senate impeachment court is currently hearing Article IV, which accuses Duterte of making grave threats against President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos, and former House Speaker Martin Romualdez. Prosecutors are expected to continue presenting witnesses and documentary evidence in the coming hearings as the trial progresses.
Jul 13, 2026
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