The impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte reached its 38th day on Monday, as forensic analyst Atty. Alex Cabrera took the stand.

Atty. Cabrera is the prosecution's last witness in the Article 2 impeachment complaint, covering the alleged unexplained wealth.

The Senate impeachment court has also received the prosecution’s manifestation stating that it will no longer pursue Article 3 of the impeachment complaint, which pertains to the alleged bribery.

The prosecution decided to drop Article 3, or the alleged bribery, to expedite the proceedings and follow the timetable, which the prosecution has been set, not because it’s weak, according to prosecution member Rep. Keith Flores.

“We’re conscious about the timetable that the prosecution set for us to prosecute the entire articles of impeachment,” he said

According to impeachment court spokesperson Atty. Regie Tongol, it is now up to the presiding officer to decide how to respond on the manifestation of the prosecution.

“The manifestation that was filed with the impeachment court will already suffice. Now, let's wait for the Presiding Officer to either act on it or ask a few questions regarding the matter,” Atty. Tongol said

Defense to present their evidence

While the prosecution presents its last witness, the defense is expected to begin presenting its evidence and witnesses. No specific date has been said, but defense spokesperson Atty. Michael Poa assured that the team is ready for their turn.

Poa said the defense has more than 90 identified and reserved witnesses for the trial. However, he explained that the number who will formally appear before the court depends on how the proceedings will go, and it may also change in the coming days depending on the team’s strategy.

“I can't give a number right now because that will be something that we will have to discuss pa rin within the team depending on what we feel will be best for the defense,” he said

Poa also stated that even during the presentation of evidence, he cannot give a definite figure, as the number of witnesses may change, as the prosecution did.

“Hindi ko pa rin kayo mabibigyan ng absolute figure on ilang witnesses pa because, as you've seen with the prosecution, they've decided to drop several witnesses,” he said

“They've added witnesses that were not identified. So normal po kasi iyan nangyayari during the course of the proceedings, sometimes the adjustments that need to be made,” he added

The defense spokesperson also declined to give details on the arrangement of their presentation of evidence, including which article to be tackled first.

“It's also up to the defense on anong article yung uunahin namin diba. So right now, you know, I'm not at liberty to disclose anything yet kasi that forms part of strategy,” Poa said

Meanwhile, the defense assured that their strategy will remain despite the prosecution dropping Article 3 of the impeachment complaint.

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