Prosecution agrees to afternoon hearings in Duterte impeachment trial

MANILA – The prosecution team handling Vice President Sara Duterte's impeachment trial has signaled support for the Senate's plan to relocate hearings to afternoon slots, a measure aimed at hastening the judicial process. Bicol Saro Party-list Representative Terry Ridon, speaking for the prosecution panel, said the team sees no impediment to conducting Monday through Wednesday sessions that extend into evening hours.

The prosecution's flexible stance represents a significant development in the high-profile trial, which has drawn substantial public attention. By endorsing the Senate's scheduling proposal, the prosecution has cleared a potential roadblock that could have delayed proceedings.

The shift to afternoon and extended evening hearings would allow the Senate to conduct more sessions per week, theoretically compressing the trial timeline. The prosecution's willingness to accommodate these arrangements underscores both panels' apparent interest in reaching a resolution without unnecessary delays.

The trial centers on allegations against the Vice President, with the House panel tasked with presenting evidence during designated hearing periods. The Senate, acting as judge and jury, will ultimately determine the outcome of the impeachment case based on the evidence presented by both prosecution and defense teams.