The prosecution in the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte could finish presenting evidence for Article II as early as next week, with the Senate impeachment court maintaining enough time cushion to absorb recent cancellations without scheduling make-up hearings.

Impeachment court spokesperson Regie Tongol said Friday the House prosecution panel has consumed about eight of the 12 trial days it originally requested for Article II, leaving roughly four days under its pretrial estimate.

If prosecutors complete the presentation of bank, insurance, Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) and Anti-Money Laundering Council (AMLC) representatives within that period, Tongol said they could wrap up Article II by Thursday or Friday next week.

“Tama po kayo (You are correct),” Tongol said when asked whether the prosecution could finish next week.

He said the court counts a whole-day hearing as roughly equivalent to two of the shorter trial days contemplated under the original timetable.

Article II centers on allegations of unexplained wealth, inaccurate asset declarations and continued business interests. The AMLC presentation was postponed Thursday to give the defense additional time to review financial records, resulting in the cancellation of Friday’s proceedings.

Despite the lost trial days, Tongol said the court remains about 20 days ahead of the timetable based on the 62 days originally requested by prosecutors to present their case.

“Because of the House Prosecution Panel’s active dropping of some of their witnesses… naka-save po ang lahat po, ang depensa, ang House prosecution panel, pati ang impeachment court ng mga araw na 20 days (everyone — the defense, the House prosecution panel and the impeachment court — has saved about 20 days),” he said.

Once the prosecution completes its presentation, it must make a formal offer of its documentary exhibits, after which the defense will be allowed to comment before presenting its own evidence.

Tongol said the court has yet to determine whether there would be a break between the prosecution and defense phases while the formal offer is being resolved.

The defense initially sought 30 trial days, but Tongol said the court expects it could also streamline its witness list, similar to what prosecutors have done.

With the prosecution moving faster than initially projected, Tongol said the court is now more confident that a final verdict could be reached by Dec. 16, before the Senate’s holiday recess. (PNA) | (PNA photo by Avito Dalan)