Manila 3rd district Rep. Joel Chua says the House prosecution panel is considering the addition of "high profile" personalities to its growing list of witnesses in Vice President Sara Duterte's upcoming Senate impeachment trial.

However, the prosecution team member is keeping a tight lid on this crucial piece of information.

“May mga kinu-consider pa po kami. Pero as of now, hindi pa namin pwedeng i-disclose dahil pinapafinalize pa lahat ito. But when the proper time comes, siguro ide-divulge din po namin,” Chua said on June 13 during the Saturday News Forum in Dapo Restaurant in Quezon City.

(We still have matters under consideration. But as of now, we cannot disclose them yet because everything is still being finalized. When the proper time comes, we will likely divulge them.)

Batangas 2nd district Rep. Gerville "Jinky Bitrics" Luistro, the lead prosecutor, earlier bared that around 25 witnesses were being considered, although the list remains subject to final review.

Vice President Duterte's conviction via impeachment trial is being sought over her offices' alleged misuse of P612.5 million worth of confidential funds; untruthful declarations in the filing of her statements of assets, liabilities, and net worth; unexplained wealth; and death threats to President Marcos, First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos, and former House Speaker Leyte 1st district Rep. Martin Romualdez.

Chua said the largest number of witnesses will likely be connected to the allegations involving confidential funds and unexplained wealth.

He described the possible additional witnesses as "high profile", but declined ro provide names.

The Manila solon says the prosecution panel is set to submit its pre-trial brief on Monday, June 15 and is now focused on preparations for the June 18 pre-trial conference in the impeachment case against Duterte.

By then, the final list of witnesses will have been known.

Chua explained that the pre-trial conference will be conducted at the Senate and will not be open to the public or covered live by the media. He said both parties will use the conference to streamline the proceedings and avoid unnecessary delays once the trial formally begins.

“Dito po magkakaroon ng stipulation of facts, marking of evidence, at dito rin po ilalahad ang mga magiging testigo namin kung sino-sino. Ito po ginagawa to prevent surprises pagdating na po sa trial proper,” he added.

(Here we will have a stipulation of facts, marking of evidence, and presentation of our witnesses. This is done to prevent surprises when the trial proper begins.)

Chua said the House prosecution panel, assisted by its private prosecutors, will participate in the conference alongside the defense lawyers representing Duterte.