Sara Duterte impeachment trial Day 9: Prosecution rests case on alleged threat against Marcos

The House prosecution panel on Wednesday, July 22, concluded its presentation on Article 4, which accuses Vice President Sara Duterte of culpable violation of the Constitution, high crimes, and betraying public trust by contracting for the alleged assassination of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and others.

The panel’s presentation concluded with National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) Director Melvin Matibag serving as its last witness.

Defense

The defense team of Vice President Sara Duterte continued its cross-examination of Matibag after the Senate impeachment court granted its request for continuance on Tuesday, July 21.

Defense lawyer Mark Vinluan, during the cross-examination, questioned Matibag if the NBI would file another impeachment complaint against Duterte. The latter answered in the negative and said the Vice President already consummated betrayal of public trust when she publicly said she contracted a killer to harm Marcos Jr. in the event she would be killed.

Vinluan also asked Matibag for clarifications about the document of Arturo Lascañas, a member of the so-called Davao Death Squad (DDS), which the prosecution presented along with his testimony.

The defense concluded its cross-examination.

In a separate interview, defense lawyer Michael Poa said they welcome Senate impeachment court presiding officer Francis “Chiz” Escudero's recommendation for the prosecution and defense to designate a spokesperson. However, Poa said he would have to consult Duterte first.

Poa dismissed speculation on Duterte’s resignation, saying he had “never” discussed the issue with the Vice President.

Prosecution

Following the defense’s cross-examination, lead prosecutor Gerville Luistro said the prosecution found it unnecessary to conduct a redirect for Matibag.

Luistro also manifested that the prosecution presented the affidavit of alleged DDS hitman Arturo Lascañas as part of Matibag’s testimony.

During his interjection, Senator Robin Padilla expressed hope that the prosecution panel would not be one-sided.

The prosecutors also explained that for the trial, they seek to prove their case against the vice president while the defense is there for their client.

Padilla also complained that he was interrupted by noise from some people while he was talking.

Private prosecutor Lorna Kapunan apologized to Padilla.

Impeachment court

The court sent out the subpoenas to the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR), Anti-Money Laundering Council (AMLC), Bank of the Philippine Islands, BDO Unibank Inc., Philippine Savings Bank, Metropolitan Bank & Trust Company, Security Bank Corporation, Land Bank of the Philippines and the Bureau of Internal Revenue in relation to the financial records of Vice President Sara Duterte and her husband, Manases Carpio.

Impeachment court spokesperson Regie Tongol said that the reservations raised by some senator-judges over the issuance of subpoenas for the bank, tax, and AMLC records of Duterte will have no legal effect on the Senate impeachment court's ruling.

The court also approved the issuance of new subpoenas to Violeta Camposano and Nenita Constantino, two former branch managers of Landbank, to appear on the resumption of the trial on Wednesday, July 29.

Senate impeachment court presiding officer Francis “Chiz” Escudero recommended to the defense and prosecution panels to consider nominating respective spokespersons who are not limited by the rules of the court.

Senator-judge Panfilo Lacson clarified that he did not file any perjury case against former Davao senior police officerLascañas.

Meanwhile, senator-judge Raffy Tulfo questioned why longer times were seemingly afforded to the minority senators. Escudero explained there was no majority or minority bloc when the Senate convened as an impeachment court and ordered the Senate secretariat to be consistent in reminding senator-judges of their time limit. —LDF, GMA News