Photo credit: Senate PH

The House prosecution panel said it remains focused on presenting evidence in the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte, insisting that proving the Articles of Impeachment—not counting votes—remains its top priority.

During a press briefing on Wednesday, House prosecution legal spokesperson Atty. Jay Tolosa said the panel is concentrating on building a strong case regardless of the Senate impeachment court's interpretation of the required number of votes for conviction.

"Our stand on this has been consistent from the very start. We don't engage in vote counting," Tolosa said.

His statement came after Presiding Officer Sen. Francis Escudero confirmed that the impeachment court's ruling requires 16 votes to convict the Vice President.

Tolosa said the prosecution's goal is to present overwhelming evidence that will support the Articles of Impeachment.

"Focus namin dito to establish an airtight case backed by overwhelming evidence so that at the end of the day, no matter how this two-thirds threshold will be interpreted, we'll be able to secure that necessary vote," he said.

While legal remedies regarding the conviction threshold remain under discussion, Tolosa stressed that the issue is not among the prosecution's immediate priorities.

"As to the legal steps that we may take regarding this matter, it's still under deliberation and discussions by the panel of prosecutors," he said.

"There's no decision about that matter yet. And quite frankly, that is not included in any of our priorities," Tolosa added.

He reiterated that the panel's attention remains on presenting witnesses and documentary evidence before the impeachment court.

"Our priority right now is focused on the trial and focused on continuing to prove our case by presenting evidence," he said.

House trial spokesperson Zia Alonto Adiong also clarified that the prosecution has no plans to ask the impeachment court to reconsider or adjust the 16-vote conviction threshold.

"Never did we intimate or reflect in our position in the pre-trial brief that there will be a possibility that we will file a formal request. Never," Adiong said.

He added, "The House Prosecution Panel will not request or make any official request before the impeachment court to readjust the threshold."

Meanwhile, House impeachment adviser and spokesperson Robert Ace Barbers said the defense's own cross-examination strengthened the prosecution's position that Atty. Zuleika Lopez should testify before the impeachment court.

According to Barbers, much of the defense's questioning centered on Lopez's emotional reaction to Vice President Duterte's public statements, as well as her relationship and interactions with the Vice President.

"Napansin namin na malaking bahagi ng cross-examination ay umikot kay Atty. Zuleika Lopez—sa kanyang reaksyon, sa kanyang ugnayan sa Vice President, at sa mga pangyayaring nakapaligid sa mga pahayag na naging sentro ng kasong ito," Barbers said.

"Kung ang mismong depensa ay nakikitang mahalaga ang mga usaping iyon upang maipaliwanag ang konteksto ng mga naging pahayag, lalo lamang nitong ipinakikita na si Atty. Lopez ay isang material witness na may personal na kaalaman sa mahahalagang pangyayari," he added.

Barbers pointed out that it was the defense—not the prosecution—that repeatedly raised Lopez during the proceedings.

"Hindi kami ang naglagay sa mga isyung ito sa sentro ng paglilitis. Ang depensa mismo ang naglaan ng malaking oras sa pagtatanong tungkol sa kanya," he said.

He argued that repeatedly returning to questions about Lopez's reaction, relationship with Duterte, and involvement in the events surrounding the alleged threats only highlighted her importance as a witness.

"Kapag ang isang panig ay paulit-ulit na bumabalik sa isang tao, sa kanyang reaksyon, sa kanyang relasyon sa akusado, at sa mga pangyayaring nakapaligid sa insidente, kinikilala nilang may mahalagang papel ang taong iyon sa pagbuo ng buong larawan ng nangyari," Barbers said.

Barbers added that Lopez's firsthand knowledge could help the impeachment court better understand the circumstances surrounding the Vice President's public statements.

"Kung ang depensa mismo ang nagbukas ng mga tanong na si Atty. Lopez lamang ang makapagpapaliwanag batay sa kanyang personal na kaalaman, mas lalong mahalagang marinig ang kanyang testimonya," he said.

He stressed that the impeachment process is ultimately about establishing the truth through relevant evidence and witnesses.

"Ang impeachment ay paghahanap ng katotohanan. At ang pinakamainam na paraan upang malaman ang katotohanan ay pakinggan ang mga taong may personal na kaalaman sa mga pangyayaring pinag-uusapan. Kung ang sariling direksyon ng cross-examination ng depensa ay nagpapakitang mahalaga si Atty. Lopez, naniniwala kaming nararapat lamang na marinig din siya ng Impeachment Court," Barbers said.

The House prosecution maintained that it will continue presenting evidence and witnesses in the coming trial days, leaving the final judgment to the Senate impeachment court.