Manila: A proposal to alternate the presentation of evidence between the prosecution and the defense in the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte failed to move forward after the defense declined to modify the agreed trial sequence, Senate President Sherwin Gatchalian said Wednesday. In a radio interview, Gatchalian stated that the impeachment court would proceed with the prosecution's presentation of evidence under Article I after receiving a letter from the defense refusing the proposed adjustment to the trial flow.

According to Philippines News Agency, Gatchalian explained that the defense did not agree to change the flow of the impeachment proceedings. Both sides must consent before the sequence can be altered, and since the defense did not agree, the proposed change did not push through. He emphasized that the impeachment court could have decided on the proposal itself but chose to prioritize fairness by requiring the agreement of both parties.

Gatchalian highlighted the importance of fairness and due process in the proceedings, stating that they aim for an orderly presentation of the impeachment trial. The defense cited four grounds in its letter, with a primary reason being that the matter had already been settled in the pretrial order and that it needed sufficient time to prepare its case after hearing the prosecution present all of its evidence.

With the original sequence retained, the prosecution is expected to continue presenting evidence under Article I on Wednesday. This includes the testimonies of two former Land Bank branch managers assigned to the DepEd Branch and the Shaw Boulevard Branch, which is located near the Office of the Vice President.