The outgoing legislator floated the idea that would see the conclusion of the trial by the end of the month.
On Sunday, June 8, Senator Francis Tolentino shared in an interview the idea of expediting the proceedings for the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte.
According to him, the entire procedure could be done within the next three weeks or until June 30, when the term of some Senators, including Tolentino himself, will expire.
He shared that the trial, which usually takes place over the course of months, could possibly begin immediately upon the constitution of the impeachment court and reading of the articles on June 11.
After which, Tolentino shared in his suggestion, respondent VP Duterte would be given 10 days to issue a response to the articles of the case until June 21.
On June 22, it would be for the reply of the prosecutor, with the following day, the 23rd, set for the submission of trial brief in the morning and opening statements in the afternoon.
The 24th will be for the presentation of evidence by the prosecution panel, with the morning of the 25th reserved for the same purpose.
In the afternoon of June 25, the defense panel could present its case until the 26th.
June 27 will be for rebuttals, with prosecution taking the morning block in his proposal and the defense in the afternoon segment.
An hour each for oral argument, defense, and prosecution could then take place on the 28th, Tolentino furthered.
June 29, the penultimate day of the 19th Congress, could be used for a closed door meeting.
Lastly, the final hours of the current Senate could hand down their verdict before noon on June 30.
The suggestion came after Sen. Tolentino said on Sunday that the impeachment hearings must be conducted because it is the constitutional function of the Senate.
Meanwhile, Senate President Francis Escudero has not yet commented on the schedule floated by Sen. Francis Tolentino.