The legal team of Vice President Sara Duterte has pushed back against claims that its lawyers were unprepared for the first day of the pre-trial conference related to her impeachment trial in the Senate.

Defense team spokesperson Atty. Michael T. Poa said they were aware of statements circulating on social media suggesting otherwise, but firmly denied the allegations, saying the team had been preparing for the impeachment proceedings long before the pre-trial conference began.

"The defense takes exception to that, because definitely, dumating kami rito nang handa. Naghanda kami ng napakatagal na panahon. Dumating kaming handa. The records will speak for itself."

[The defense takes exception to that, because definitely, we came here prepared. We prepared for a very long time. We came prepared. The records will speak for itself.]

Poa said the defense respects differing opinions but maintained there was no basis for such allegations.

He also explained that the pre-trial conference was not completed on its first day due to the sheer volume of documents that both the defense and prosecution needed to review and mark as evidence.

"Talagang di ganon kabilis ang marking. There are instances na kailangang mag-compare ng documents, lalo na at photocopy kailangan i-compare sa original. So natural po yan, normal po yan na hindi ganon kabilis ang marking."

[The marking really isn't that fast. There are instances where documents need to be compared, especially since photocopies need to be checked against originals. So that's natural, that's normal — the marking isn't that quick.]

According to the defense, out of the four articles of impeachment, only one has been completed in terms of marking of evidence. One more article is expected to be finished by Monday, while the remaining two — which involve the most documents — could extend the process until Tuesday.

Poa clarified, however, that these dates are estimates and that there is no certainty yet as to when the pre-trial conference will be fully concluded. What remains clear, he said, is that the trial proper is set to proceed on July 6.

"Syempre ang gusto namin sa side ng defense — I think sa prosecution din — basta matapos kami ng mas maaga mas maganda para sa amin para makapagprepare o focus sa preparation ng trial."

[Of course, what we want on the defense side — I think on the prosecution side as well — is to finish earlier, as that would be better for us so we can prepare and focus on the trial.]

The defense also confirmed that it remains in communication with Vice President Duterte and will promptly brief her on the developments from the first day of the pre-trial conference. 

There is still no confirmation on whether the Vice President will personally attend the impeachment trial, though her lawyer indicated she is prepared to do so if needed.

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