'Mahaba masyado': Imee hits projected 7-month VP Duterte impeachment trial
By Dhel Nazario
Senator Imee Marcos criticized the projected seven-month duration of Vice President Sara Duterte's impeachment trial on Monday, June 29, saying the proceedings should not drag on for that long.
Senator Imee Marcos (MB file photo/Mark Balmores)
"Grabe ang tagal naman! (That takes too long!) That is way too long," she said in a message to reporters.
According to Senate Secretary and Impeachment Clerk of Court Renato Bantug, the estimate is based on the prosecution's projection that it will need up to 62 trial days to present its evidence and the defense's estimate of another 30 trial days.
Marcos said that with this, the impeachment proceedings will definitely affect legislative work.
"We should follow the One-Day Examination of Witness Rule as much as possible to cut the number of trial days," she said.
"I don't think the parties will be presenting 90 plus witnesses, so if we follow said rule, then we will need far less than 90 trial days," she added.
If the trial takes 92 days, Bantug said it could become the longest in Philippine history.
Under the current calendar, trial proceedings will be held Mondays through Wednesdays at 2 p.m. until the week before the State of the Nation Address (SONA), with Thursdays reserved for motions.
After the SONA, the schedule shifts to Tuesdays through Thursdays at 2 p.m.