The Senate impeachment court will not restrict the defense’s witness presentation merely because their testimonies are repetitive, Presiding Officer Francis “Chiz” Escudero said Tuesday, even as he expressed hope that Vice President Sara Duterte’s impeachment trial would conclude before Christmas.

In a chance interview before the resumption of proceedings, Escudero clarified that irrelevance, rather than repetition, would justify limiting the presentation of evidence.

“Not if it’s repetitive. If it is irrelevant,” Escudero said when asked whether the court could reduce the number of defense witnesses.

He explained that the same standard was applied during the prosecution’s presentation, when the court restricted evidence deemed irrelevant to the impeachment charges.

Despite his preference for an early conclusion, Escudero emphasized that the court would not impose a deadline on the proceedings.

“Walang timeline. We’re not following any timelines (There is no timeline. We are not following any timelines),” he said.

Escudero explained that hearing schedules are issued monthly, with the official calendar currently covering only November.

He said the court would determine its December schedule based on developments during the ongoing hearings, particularly the number of witnesses and the length of their testimonies.

The defense presented only one witness, Davao City Assessor Jaime Adalin, during Monday’s resumption of the trial after nearly a month of recess.

Escudero, however, expects the proceedings to gather momentum as the defense becomes more familiar with the presentation of evidence, comparing the initial pace to a diesel engine that takes time to accelerate.

Asked whether the impeachment proceedings could be concluded before the Christmas break, Escudero expressed his personal preference for resolving the case within the year.

“Sana matapos ang impeachment, sino man ang matalo o manalo, bago mag-Pasko, bago mag-New Year (I hope the impeachment trial concludes before Christmas or New Year, regardless of which side prevails),” he said.

He said concluding the proceedings this year would allow the Senate to address other challenges in 2027 without having to return to the impeachment case.

However, Escudero reiterated that the trial’s completion would ultimately depend on the defense’s presentation and the time required to examine its evidence. (PNA)