MANILA: House prosecution panel member and Manila Rep Joel Chua is hoping that the Senate impeachment court will be able to rule on Vice President Sara Z. Duterte’s case by late November or early December now that only the alleged unexplained wealth article remains.
Chua said prosecutors narrowed the case partly because they expected the defence to stretch its presentation into the following year.
“We expect them to extend the article,” Chua told the Saturday (Oct 17) News Forum at Dapo Restaurant in Quezon City.
He warned that a prolonged trial could weaken public attention to the evidence already presented.
Chua said the defense could determine how to present its case, subject to the court’s control.
Prosecutors would raise objections if they considered the proceedings needlessly prolonged.
“We expect that they will delay the article. If we think that what they are doing is just delaying, I believe the impeachment court will give us the opportunity to present our reason,” he said.
The defence presentation on Article II is scheduled to begin on Nov 9.
“Hopefully by the end of November or at least at the latest, the first week of December, hopefully a decision can be made,” Chua said. - Philippine Daily Inquirer/ANN
