The court sheriff who was allegedly punched by Vice President Sara Duterte when she was still mayor of Davao City has been named as one of the prosecution's witnesses in her impeachment trial.

According to a copy of the prosecution team's pre-trial brief, Abe Andres is among the witnesses for the article involving serious threats against the lives of the President, the First Lady, and former House Speaker.

Andres is identified as the court sheriff who was allegedly punched by VP Duterte during a demolition operation in Davao City. His testimony is intended to establish that the respondent has a tendency to use violence.

A psychiatrist and a relative of the victim of the alleged threats have also been listed as reserve witnesses for the prosecution under the same article.

On documentary evidence, the prosecution has included as reserve evidence the list of firearms registered to VP Duterte with the Philippine National Police. This aims to prove that the respondent owns several firearms, including high-caliber ones, and has the capability and capacity to carry out the threats.

House lead impeachment prosecutor and Batangas 2nd District Rep. Gerville Luistro declined to elaborate on the details of the prosecution's witnesses, saying the public should wait for the senate impeachment court to issue its pre-trial order.

"All possible witnesses of the prosecution were listed already in our Pre-Trial Brief as who these witnesses are, let us all wait for the issuance of the Pre-Trial Order sapagkat kahit nalista yan sa PTB, kung hindi naman incorporate sa Pre-Trial Order then that will not be binding." (because even if it is listed in the PTB, if it is not incorporated in the Pre-Trial Order, then that will not be binding.)

Luistro also reiterated the importance of VP Duterte appearing before the senate impeachment court once the trial begins.

"Appearing before the impeachment court is likewise a constitutional duty which public officials must comply. This is what we meant by public office is a public trust and public officials must be accountable to the people at all times."

Should the vice president fail to appear, this would result in a not guilty plea being entered on her behalf in the impeachment case.

VP Duterte's defense counsel, Atty. Michael Poa, had previously maintained that they themselves would advise their client to appear in court when necessary.

"Kasi parati nating sinasabi na hindi humaharap si Vice President. But what we're doing now is pagharap sa mga alegasyon. What they're pushing for is a physical appearance. So, ang sa atin, kung dumating yung circumstance na kailangan niya humarap, we will be the ones who advise the clients na kailangan niya humarap. At doon natin malalaman kung haharap siya o hindi physically." (Because we always say that the Vice President is not appearing. But what we are doing now is addressing the allegations. What they are pushing for is a physical appearance. So, for our part, if the circumstance arises that she needs to appear, we will be the ones to advise the client that she needs to appear. And that is when we will know whether she will appear physically or not.)

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