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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