Earlier, not later, please.

This was Batangas 2nd district Rep. Gerville "Jinky Bitrics" Luistro's stern appeal to the Senate on Monday, June 1 as the House of Representatives awaits the official release of the impeachment trial schedule on Vice President Sara Duterte's case.

Luistro was speaking in a press conference Monday when a tentative impeachment trial schedule was leaked from the Senate--the body constitutionally mandated to hold the trial.

Luistro says the House prosecution panel, which she leads, has yet to receive official communication from the Senate on the matter. This means that the leaked schedule--and even the one reported in past days--could be subject to changes.

The lead prosecutor expressed hope that the reproted schedule—including a June 15 pre-trial conference and a July 6 start of trial—would push through.

“I am amenable to this [schedule] because this timeline is consistent with the period for filing answer, period for filing reply, the conduct of pre-trial conference, but of course that July 6 if ever it will be reconsidered, it should be earlier and not later,” she said.

Vice President Duterte was impeached by the House for the second time in two years last May 11. Seven days later, the Senate convened as an impeachment court.

By the July 6 trial launch, nearly two months will have already passed for something that must be done "forthwith".

“Let us remember that the mandate of the Constitution that is to be forthwith is not only with respect to the convening of the impeachment court. It says, ‘trial forthwith’,” Luistro said during a press conference.

“In other words, by trial, we mean presentation of evidence, presentation of witnesses. If ever there will be changes to July 6, it should be earlier and not later,” she added.

The lawyer-solon's remarks come amid reported discussions within the Senate on resuming investigations into alleged flood control projects corruption, which has raised questions as to its possible effect on the impeachment calendar.

Luistro said the 11-member House prosecution panel remains focused on fulfilling its constitutional role and is prepared to proceed whenever the Senate impeachment court schedules the proceedings.

“Of course there are always apprehensions, but nonetheless, liwanagin natin (let's be clear). Ang (The) constitutional duty ng House is to present the evidence,” she said.

Luistro said they are inclined "to be more positive" in the developments regarding Duterte's case since the Senate has already convened as an impeachment court.

Even if the new Senate Blue Ribbon Committee includes members facing corruption allegations in the flood control mess probe, Luistro said the prosecution panel will continue to trust the senator-judges' judgment.

Luistro explained that the constitutional presumption of innocence prevails until guilt is proven beyond reasonable doubt.

“So regardless of the controversies surrounding the members of the [Senate] majority bloc, I still defer to their judgment in as far as the impeachment trial is concerned,” she said.

"We express our faith and confidence not only to the members of the majority, but all the senator-judges because we appreciate the fact that if prosecution is a constitutional duty, hearing this impeachment case is likewise a constitutional duty on the part of the senator-judges," she further said.