Abbey M.

The House prosecution panel has admitted it cannot complete the pre-trial conference, particularly the marking of evidence by the July 25 deadline for the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte, and is now seeking an extension of the process.

As of Tuesday, June 23, the marking of documentary evidence remains unfinished due to the sheer volume of documents the prosecution has prepared. These include evidence under the article on alleged misuse of confidential funds, which alone carries around 4,000 documentary exhibits, as well as the article on the Vice President's alleged unexplained wealth.

The pre-trial conference is currently scheduled to run until June 25.

House Lead Prosecutor and Batangas 2nd District Representative Gerville Luistro said the prosecution has already reached out to Senate Secretary Bantug through Secretary-General Cheloy Garafil to explore ways to speed up the marking process.

"The prosecutors have expressed their uncertainties as to whether the marking will be finished by Thursday. And that's why we already reached out to Sec. Bantug through SecGen Cheloy Garafil whether there are other measures which may considered to be able to expedite more the marking of the exhibits."

The process has also been slowed down by the defense team's insistence on having its own separate marking of the same exhibits. Luistro explained that this effectively doubles the time spent on each document.

"We understand that the defense is soliciting marking of separate documents which means, parehas ang exhibits naming, nevertheless the position of the defense is to have their own marking in a separate set of document. So you can imagine how time consuming is this, magkakaroon ng comparison of documents before marking, one for the prosecution, and next for the defense."

Among the proposals the House prosecution team is bringing before the Senate Impeachment Court are: a two-day extension of the pre-trial conference to run until Saturday, June 27, and the doubling of marking teams from the current four to eight.

Manila 3rd District Representative and House prosecution panel member Joel Chua acknowledged the difficulty of the workload.

"Medyo mahaba po, maraming document kaya nga po kami ay humihingi ng karagdagang araw at tsaka kung papayagan din kami additional team."

("It is quite lengthy, there are many documents, which is why we are requesting additional days and, if permitted, an additional team.")

However, both proposals still require the agreement of the defense team and approval from the Impeachment Court.

Despite the delays, the prosecution remains confident that the July 6 start of the trial proper is still on track.

"We remain confident at umaasa naman kami na kung wala naman pong magiging aberya, tuloy-tuloy lamang po ang marking ng ebidensya."

("We remain confident and we hope that if there are no disruptions, the marking of evidence will continue smoothly.")

Luistro further explained that if the defense agrees to a joint marking of common exhibits under a single document, the time spent could be cut in half.

"Kasi ang nangyari doon, separate yung presentation and marking for the prosecution. Papakita kay defense, patatatakan sa impeachment court, pipirmahan ng prosecution defense at saka ng impeachment court. So yung prosesong yun, uulitin mo ulit pagdating doon sa defense, notwithstanding the fact that you are talking about exactly the same document. So nadoble yung time. So if they will agree na isang document lang, ibig sabihin isang examination lang, isang pirmahan lang, so that will be, as to the time which will be spent, it will be diminished by half the time which is actually being spent when marking common exhibit but separate documents."

("Because what happened there, separate was the presentation and marking for the prosecution. It will be shown to the defense, stamped at the impeachment court, signed by the prosecution, defense, and the impeachment court. So that process, you repeat it again when you get to the defense, notwithstanding the fact that you are talking about exactly the same document. So the time doubled. So if they will agree on just one document, that means just one examination, just one signing, so that will be, as to the time which will be spent, it will be diminished by half the time which is actually being spent when marking common exhibits but in separate documents.")

Meanwhile, the prosecution team also intends to raise additional requests before the Senate Impeachment Court, including the disclosure of witnesses three days before their presentation, the participation of both public and private prosecutors in witness presentations, the possible opening of BIR records at the earliest opportunity, and the discussion of the conviction threshold, a proposal raised by the defense, which Lead Prosecutor Luistro said she is open to taking up when the Impeachment Court reconvenes or before the presentation of evidence.

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The Senate will investigate the shooting incident at San Jose National High School in Tacloban, with Senator Risa Hontiveros announcing that the inquiry will open on July 1.

Senator Risa Hontiveros, Chairperson of the Senate Committee on Women, Children, Family Relations, and Gender Equality, said the hearing will look into whether online platforms played a role in spreading violent ideologies.

"Sa July 1, muli nating bubuksan ang pagdinig para alamin kung may papel ang mga online platforms sa pagkalat ng mararahas na ideya. Nagiging pugad ng mga grupong nambe-brainwash at nagra-radicalize sa mga bata," Hontiveros said.

("On July 1, we will reopen the hearing to find out if online platforms have a role in spreading violent ideologies. They are becoming breeding grounds for groups that brainwash and radicalize children.")

She also stressed the need to re-examine whether all online platforms are doing enough to prevent the youth from being exploited.

"Titingnan natin ulit kung may sapat bang ginagawa ang lahat ng online platforms para hindi mapagsamantalahan ang mga kabataan," she added.

("We will look again at whether all online platforms are doing enough so that the youth will not be exploited.")

The senator added that there must be accountability for those who use the internet to victimize children, and that action should not wait for another victim to come forward.

"Dapat na may managot kung ginagamit ang internet para biktimahin ang mga bata at hindi na dapat hintayin pang magkaroon ng kasunod na biktima bago kumilos," Hontiveros said.

("There must be accountability if the internet is being used to victimize children, and we should no longer wait for another victim before taking action.")

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The defense team of Vice President Sara Duterte has acknowledged having additional witnesses who have yet to be named, even as the formal impeachment trial is set to begin in July.

During the continuation of the pre-trial conference, the defense camp disclosed that some witnesses are being kept confidential for their own protection.

Defense team spokesperson Atty. Michael T. Poa explained that they had reserved witnesses whose names were being withheld for security reasons.

"Kami rin sa defense, meron din kaming na-reserve na witnesses, hindi namin pinangalanan. Bakit? Para sa kanilang seguridad. And if there is a rule that we have to disclose within three days, wala naman po kami nagiging problema doon. In fact, kami pa nga po yung humingi ng disclosure."

("We in the defense also have reserved witnesses that we have not named. Why? For their security. And if there is a rule that we have to disclose within three days, we have no problem with that. In fact, we were the ones who requested disclosure.")

The defense panel also requested early disclosure of which among the four articles of impeachment would be tackled first, to allow both sides — including the senator-judges, to prepare accordingly.

Poa elaborated on their requests, citing the need for all parties to be adequately prepared before the trial begins.

"Number one, ng order of trial, meaning anong article ang uunahin. And pangalawa, kung sino ang witnesses, humingi rin kami ng disclosure kung sinong mauuna, sinong sunod. Bakit po? Kasi po para po makapaghanda ang bawat panig, ang prosecution at defense, at pati na rin po ang impeachment court, ang ating senator judges. At kami rin naman po sa defense, kung hiningi namin ’yon sa prosecution, willing din naman po kaming sumailalim sa ganoong disclosure."

("Number one, the order of trial, meaning which article goes first. And second, regarding the witnesses, we also asked for disclosure of who comes first, who comes next. Why? So that every party can prepare, the prosecution and defense, and also the impeachment court, our senator-judges. And we in the defense, if we asked that of the prosecution, we are also willing to submit to the same disclosure.")

Meanwhile, Senate Secretary and Clerk of Court Atty. Renato Bantug Jr. had earlier clarified that the court would not prevent the introduction of so-called surprise witnesses once the impeachment trial proper begins. He noted that both the House prosecution panel and the defense team may still submit witnesses not included in their original pre-trial briefs, subject to reservations allowed by the court.

The pre-trial conference, including the marking of evidence related to the articles of impeachment, also remained unfinished as of the day's proceedings. The defense team explained that the document marking process is not straightforward, particularly given the thousands of documents involved.

Atty. Mark Vinluan stated that the defense was not undermanned and that it was actually the private prosecutors who lacked personnel.

"Ah actually I was there personally and the opposite was truth. The opposite is true. Um it was actually uh the private prosecutors who lacked a certain personnel for the marking of the exhibits. Ah siguro hindi lang naintindihan masyado ni Representative Luiso ito kasi hindi naman sila nagpa-participate buong araw no. So they just appear in the morning and then they leave and then they leave the rest of the task uh to the private prosecutors for handling the case. So siguro we are in the best position to deny that claim and we are saying now that we are not under man and we are complying with all the directives by the impeachment court."

("Ah actually I was there personally and the opposite was true. It was actually the private prosecutors who lacked certain personnel for the marking of the exhibits. Maybe Representative Luiso did not fully understand this because they did not participate the whole day. They just appear in the morning and then leave the rest of the task to the private prosecutors handling the case. So we are in the best position to deny that claim, and we are saying now that we are not undermanned and we are complying with all the directives of the impeachment court.")

The defense also said they are willing to adjust to whatever schedule the Clerk of Court or the impeachment court may set, including working on Saturdays if necessary.

"Like we said, the defense will always adjust. So kung ano man ang kinakailangan, handa naman tayong pumasok kahit Sabado." 

("Like we said, the defense will always adjust. Whatever is needed, we are ready to come in even on Saturdays.")

Atty. Carlo Joaquin Narvasa, another member of the defense team, also noted that they had not received any information about the House prosecution panel seeking an extension for the pre-trial conference, adding that the matter was not discussed with them directly.

"But also that's something that they never discussed with us. I just like you to know they're talking through you guys. So all these things we have been open with them. But the prosecution always talks to you guys. So this is the first time we're hearing about."

Despite the delays, the defense affirmed its commitment to moving the process forward. 

"The defense is committed to expedite. To do everything in our power to really expedite the case as well. And so far, lahat naman ng binibigyan ng instruction ng impeachment court, we faithfully comply and we really do the best of our ability." 

("The defense is committed to expedite, to do everything in our power to really expedite the case as well. And so far, everything the impeachment court has instructed, we faithfully comply and we really do the best of our ability.")

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_{21 Filipinos who had been detained in Russia for nine months have returned to the Philippines.}

_{Their release came as a result of talks between President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and Russian President Vladimir Putin on the sidelines of the ASEAN-Russia Commemorative Summit last week.}

_{One of the returning Filipinos described the moment they learned they were going home.}

_{"Noong nalaman namin na dumating si President Bongbong Marcos sa Kazan, sabi ko dun sa room namin, 'Lord, ihulog mo miracle ngayong nandito President namin sa Russia.' Kinaumagahan, nandiyan na yung balita na nagsabi, 'Pack all your things, you go home,' sabi ng security sa detention. So grabe ang saya namin, for joy, nag-iiyakan. Natugunan na po yung matagal pong panalangin na makauwi na kami."} 

_{("When we learned that President Bongbong Marcos had arrived in Kazan, I said to my roommates, 'Lord, drop a miracle now that our President is here in Russia.' The next morning, the news came with security at the detention facility telling us, 'Pack all your things, you go home.' We were overjoyed, crying tears of happiness. Our long-held prayer of finally coming home has been answered.")}

_{The Filipinos detained in Irkutsk, Russia had not expected to be released so soon after nine months in detention. Their return followed the meeting between President Marcos and President Putin in Kazan, Russia on June 19, where the President personally raised the case of the detained Filipinos with his Russian counterpart.}

_{Department of Foreign Affairs Secretary Ma. Theresa Lazaro explained how the release came about.}

<sub>"Kaya sila napalabas, bigla-bigla. Ito yung request ni Pangulong Marcos. Nandun siya sa Kazan, sa Russian Federation. Lahat sila babae, I think dalawa lang lalake."

("The reason they were suddenly released is that this was President Marcos' request. He was there in Kazan, in the Russian Federation. All of them are women, I think only two are men.")</sub>

_{Secretary Lazaro also remarked on the significance of the repatriation.}

_{"I think this is testimonial of the kind of relations that we have started, probably developing, evolving."}

_{The 21 Filipinos arrived in the country in two batches. The first group of six was welcomed by DFA Secretary Lazaro, while the remaining 18 were received by Department of Migrant Workers Secretary Hans Leo Cacdac.}

_{Secretary Cacdac said President Marcos had directed the government to extend full assistance to the returning Filipinos, from their journey back to their home provinces to help with their livelihood.}

_{"Ipinagutos rin ng Pangulo na bigyan ng pantawid tulong pinansyal. So merong binigay sa kanila. Direktiba: tulungan sila pangkalahatan. So merong empleyo, livelihood assistance na pwedeng ibigay sa kanila for the next few days, at yung TESDA training, kailangan magsanay sila."} 

_{("The President also directed that financial bridging assistance be given to them. There was something provided for them. The directive is to help them in every way. There is employment and livelihood assistance that can be given to them in the next few days, and TESDA training — they need to undergo skills training.")}

_{The Filipinos had allegedly entered Russia through an illegal recruiter. After reviewing the case, Russian authorities confirmed that no charges had been filed against them and immediately arranged for their deportation.}

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The Department of Energy is anticipating a significant rollback in petroleum product prices this week, following developments between the United States and Iran.

According to the Department of Energy, diesel prices are expected to be reduced by approximately ₱8 to ₱10 per liter.

Gasoline prices, meanwhile, are expected to drop by ₱4 to ₱5 per liter, while kerosene is expected to see a rollback of ₱9 to ₱11 per liter.

The Department of Energy is expected to announce the final oil price adjustment later, which will take effect tomorrow, Tuesday, June 23.