Sara Duterte's defense lawyer confronts AMLC witness with confidentiality rules

The cross-examination by Vice President Sara Duterte's defense of Anti-Money Laundering Council executive director, Atty. Ronel Buenaventura didn't sit well with some senators, as it sought answers from the witness regarding the confidentiality of AMLC records and the penalties for their disclosure.

Atty. Mark Vinluan, a lawyer for Duterte, confronted Buenaventura with the provisions of the Anti-Money Laundering Act regarding the confidentiality of the AMLC's records and whether the executive director had the written authority from the AMLC members to disclose them in the impeachment court.

Hours earlier, presiding officer Senator-Judge Francis Escudero ruled that the court would allow the testimony of the AMLC executive director regarding the subpoenaed documents in connection with the article of impeachment that involved alleged unexplained wealth.

“Mr. Presiding Officer, kanina na-rule mo na na allowed dito sa impeachment court yung pag-divulge ng mga information dito sa impeachment court itong AMLA records. Now, I can see itong defense binabadger na lang niya itong witness," Senator-Judge Raffy Tulfo said.

"I don’t see any reason bakit paulit-ulit na lang itong defense na tinatakot pa, pati media tinatakot," he added.

Senator-Judge Francis Pangilinan said the defense may question the court's ruling before the Supreme Court if it didn't agree with it.

Senator-Judge Vicente Sotto III, on the other hand, said senators had "parliamentary immunity."

A member of the defense said there was no intention "to threaten anyone."

“We regret that they felt that way. Ayaw naman talaga natin ng ganoon. I think naman for Atty. Vinluan. That was not the intention. I think he was just reading the law, and he just wanted to raise that with the witness," Atty. Michael Poa said.

"But again, we regret if any senator felt that way kasi hindi naman talaga intention to threaten anyone," he added. –Giselle Ombay/NB, GMA News