Manila: Lengthy legal lectures that stray from the evidence and testimony are unnecessarily prolonging Vice President Sara Duterte's impeachment trial, Senator-Judge Erwin Tulfo said Wednesday. In an ambush interview at the Senate, Tulfo stated that senator-judges could help speed up proceedings by pointing out mistakes directly instead of revisiting basic legal principles already familiar to the prosecution and defense lawyers.

According to Philippines News Agency, Tulfo emphasized that questions should focus on the evidence and the testimony, avoiding discussions that resemble 'Law 101' lectures and veer away from the matters before the impeachment court. He noted that irrelevant discussions contribute to the lengthening of the proceedings.

Tulfo, however, cautioned against rushing the trial merely to shorten its duration, highlighting the importance of ensuring that no evidence is overlooked and that every material point is sufficiently explained. He stressed that impeachment proceedings require a careful balance between efficiency and a thorough examination of the allegations, evidence, and witness testimonies.

Furthermore, Tulfo added that errors committed by either party should be immediately corrected without turning the exchange into an extended lecture that consumes trial time. The Senate impeachment court earlier adjusted its calendar, setting daytime hearings from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. beginning July 29 and adopting a Monday-to-Wednesday schedule starting in August.