Poa: Acosta's use of Bisaya wasn't a strategy to evade questions

The defense team of Vice President Sara Duterte on Monday defended former OVP special disbursing officer Gina Acosta’s use of Bisaya during her testimony in the impeachment trial, saying it was not a tactic to evade questions.

Defense spokesperson Michael Poa said Acosta had also preferred to speak Bisaya during previous hearings before the House Committee on Good Government and Public Accountability.

“Perhaps hindi naman ‘yan strategy or evasiveness. It’s really her nature na mas komportable siya sa Bisaya, since Bisaya talaga siya,” Poa said.

(Perhaps, it's not a strategy or evasiveness. It's really her nature to be comfortable (speaking in) Bisaya since she is (from the) Visayas,)

He said Acosta had already expressed a preference for speaking Bisaya during the House proceedings, although she was encouraged at the time to answer in Tagalog and English.

Poa also noted Acosta’s testimony in the impeachment trial was not unexpected because she had previously testified before the House committee.

“It’s quite similar to ano yung sinabi niya today. It’s quite similar,” he said.

“Wala naman tayong nakitang (We didn't see a) deviation doon sa naging testimonya ni (in her testimony of) Ms. Acosta before the Committee on Good Government and Public Accountability,” Poa said.

He said this was also why the defense’s cross-examination of Acosta was relatively brief. Poa was also asked about Acosta becoming emotional during her testimony.

He said he had heard that Acosta’s husband was ill but did not know the details of his condition and would not disclose information he had not personally confirmed.

Meanwhile, former DepEd SDO Edward Fajarda has said to have been hospitalized after suffering a stroke, according to Presiding Officer Francis Escudero citing letter from a law firm.

The impeachment court then directed Senate Medical and Dental Bureau to examine Fajarda, and validate his medical findings with his physicians and report whether he is fit to testify this week.

Lead House prosecutor Gerville Luistro says the prosecution understands and is concerned about Fajarda’s medical condition and asks for a certified true copy of his medical certificate.

Poa noted that he only learned about the situation the previous week and had considered visiting Fajarda in the hospital, but decided against it because of ethical considerations involving another person who is under subpoena.

Instead, he said he conveyed his concern through common friends and former colleagues. Poa said he wished Fajarda well and noted that his testimony was expected to take place later, with September 7 mentioned as the reserved date. — RSJ, GMA News