The House prosecution panel will present two former Land Bank of the Philippines (LandBank) branch managers as its initial witnesses when the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte resumes, focusing on allegations involving the use and disbursement of confidential funds.
Private prosecutor and House prosecution legal spokesperson Benjamin “Jay” Tolosa Jr. said Thursday that the panel has identified its first witnesses through motions and manifestations filed before the Senate impeachment court.
“For now, ang mga na-identify na natin through the requests for subpoenas and manifestations that we filed with the court, unahin natin ang dalawang bank managers ng LandBank,” Tolosa said during a press conference.
The Senate impeachment court has ordered former LandBank-Shaw Boulevard branch manager Violeta Constantino and former LandBank-Department of Education (DepEd) branch manager Nenita Camposano to appear when proceedings resume on July 29.
Tolosa said the two former branch managers will be questioned regarding transactions involving confidential funds withdrawn through their respective LandBank branches.
The House prosecution panel is presenting evidence under Article I of the Articles of Impeachment, which accuses Duterte of culpable violation of the Constitution, graft and corruption, and betrayal of public trust over the alleged misuse, misappropriation, and irregular disbursement of P612.5 million in confidential funds allocated to the Office of the Vice President (OVP) and the Department of Education.
The allegations remain subject to proof during the trial, while the defense will have the opportunity to cross-examine witnesses, challenge evidence, and present its own case.
Aside from the two LandBank officials, the prosecution has also secured authorization to present Marivic Pareja of the House Legislative Archives and Museum Management Service to authenticate congressional records related to the confidential funds inquiry.
Tolosa said Pareja’s testimony will cover transcripts and video recordings from previous House committee proceedings.
“So that we can authenticate and identify the transcripts of records and videos noong mga related hearings sa Kongreso,” Tolosa said.
Tolosa said the first three witnesses would not necessarily complete the prosecution’s presentation for Article I, as the panel continues to prepare additional witnesses and documentary evidence.
He said the prosecution intends to establish the movement, withdrawal, custody, and reported liquidation of the confidential funds through witness testimonies and documents.
“Five days before the hearing, we have to disclose the identity of the next witnesses,” Tolosa said.
Article I has been given the longest presentation period in the prosecution’s trial calendar, with up to 30 days allotted for the presentation of evidence.
However, Tolosa clarified that the panel does not necessarily intend to use the entire period.
He said the prosecution is assessing whether some testimonies can be consolidated or some witnesses can be removed from the list if the facts have already been sufficiently established.
Tolosa added that the panel aims to complete its presentation efficiently while ensuring that enough evidence is submitted for the Senate impeachment court’s consideration.
Photo courtesy of Inquirer.net
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