House prosecutors said they have not confirmed whether Vice President Sara Duterte will personally appear at this week’s impeachment trial despite her defense team’s request to bring appliances into the Senate during the proceedings.
House prosecutor Ysabel Maria Zamora said Duterte should attend the trial in person, citing the previous impeachment proceedings of former Chief Justice Renato Corona, who personally appeared before the impeachment court.
Zamora said the prosecution has yet to receive confirmation on whether the vice president will appear in the coming weeks.
However, she acknowledged that the prosecution is aware of the defense team’s request to bring appliances into the Senate during the trial.
According to Zamora, the request could indicate that Duterte may attend the proceedings after her chief of staff, Atty. Zuleika Lopez, visited the Senate to seek approval for arrangements that would allow a refrigerator, coffee maker and other appliances inside the venue.
The House prosecution panel said it is prepared to present two witnesses each day as the trial continues.
Zamora said the prosecution expects the upcoming witnesses to provide more detailed and substantial testimony than previous witness NBI agent John Mark Calilung, whose testimony focused on the technical authentication of evidence.
Meanwhile, House trial spokesperson Zia Alonto Adiong said NBI Regional Director Jeremy Lotoc is scheduled to testify before the impeachment court.
According to Adiong, Lotoc will discuss the findings of the National Bureau of Investigation regarding its investigation into the alleged threat made by Duterte against the life of President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr.
Lotoc serves as the NBI regional director for the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM).
The impeachment proceedings are expected to continue this week as the prosecution presents additional witnesses before the Senate impeachment court.
