The House prosecution panel in Vice President Sara Duterte's upcoming Senate impeachment trial didn't give anything away Thursday, July 2 in terms of the nitty-gritty of the case, although it did reveal the most important detail.

“We are very much ready,” lead prosecutor, Batangas 2nd district Rep. Gerville "Jinky Bitrics" Luistro told reporters in a chance interview after the Mass for Truth, Justice, and Accountability organized by the Clergy for Good Governance at the Chapel of the Nativity of the Immaculate Conception Cathedral in Cubao, Quezon City.

Luistro went on to quip, “As a matter of fact, 19th Congress pa tayo naghahanda (we have been getting ready since the 19th Congress)."

This was a reference to Vice President Duterte's initial impeachment by the House of Representatives last year, which didn't lead to a Senate impeachment trial. This year will be a different story.

"I can honestly tell the Filipino people, the House prosecutors and the private prosecutors are all ready as we start this impeachment trial this coming July 6,” said the Batangueña.

Asked about the merits of the case against the Vice President, Luistro politely declined.

Luistro said the Senate impeachment court is expected to hear opening statements and resolve pending motions on the first day of trial.

She declined to discuss the merits of the case, citing the ongoing proceedings.

“I hope you understand we cannot comment too much on the merits, and that is why ’yun lang muna ang masasabi natin (that's all we can say, that we're ready),” she said.

Both the prosecution and defense had completed the pre-trial conference, where they identified documentary evidence, witnesses, legal issues, stipulations and admissions before the issuance of the pre-trial order.

Private prosecutor lawyer Lorna Kapunan said the prosecution had listed 57 witnesses. The panel had already complied with the pre-trial order requiring it to identify them before trial to prevent any surprise testimony.

Asked about the order of presentation, Kapunan said the prosecution would first present the article of impeachment involving Duterte’s alleged death threats against President Marcos, First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos and former House Speaker Martin Romualdez, in accordance with the impeachment court’s pre-trial order.

Kapunan also confirmed that the prosecution had filed its comment on the pre-trial order but declined to discuss its contents.

“We filed our comment yesterday (Wednesday). I cannot disclose the gist of our comments now. Hintayin natin ang impeachment court na mag-order o mag-comment sa comment namin,” she said.

Despite that, Kapunan said the prosecution was satisfied with the pre-trial order.

“We are very happy with the pre-trial order,” she said.

The House of Representatives impeached Duterte for second time on May 11 after 257 congressmen endorsed the verified complaint charging her with betrayal of public trust, culpable violation of the Constitution, graft and corruption, and other high crimes.