Follow-Up: VP Sara Duterte Impeachment Trial Resumes: Defence Begins Presenting Evidence, 22 Subpoenas Served
MANILA — The Philippine Senate impeachment court resumed the trial of Vice President Sara Duterte on November 9, its 40th day, with the defence set to begin presenting witnesses and evidence after a recess of nearly a month. The defence case concerns the only charge that remains, Article II, which alleges unexplained wealth, incomplete statements of assets, liabilities and net worth (SALNs), and undisclosed business interests. The House prosecution panel earlier withdrew the other three articles of impeachment.
Impeachment court spokesperson Reginald Tongol said over the weekend that 22 of the 24 subpoenas requested by the defence had been served. The defence originally listed 25 witnesses; former law school dean Ralph Sarmiento declined to testify. The court has scheduled further hearings on November 10, 12, 13, 19, 20 and 23, and still targets a conclusion in December, although the timetable may move.
The defence's planned first witness, Suzette Balucanag-Punay, corporate counsel of GenCorp Industries Inc. and Metro City Chow Foods Corp., will instead testify on Wednesday because of a scheduled MRI scan. The first witnesses on November 9 were Davao City assessor Jaime Adalin, followed by the assessor of the Island Garden City of Samal and a barangay captain, with bank representatives also expected. The prosecution earlier presented land titles for two properties registered under the name of Duterte's husband, Manases Carpio, which it says were not reflected in her SALNs.
As GSM reported on November 6, the court ruled on November 5 to admit Duterte's SALNs, bank and corporate records as evidence, overruling the defence's objection. How the defence evidence answers the prosecution's case will shape the outcome of Article II; the court has not yet decided any article of impeachment.
(Source: The Manila Times)
Source: The Manila Times
Published by GSM · USA (original Chinese edition)
Photo: 图：菲律宾中央银行（BSP）巴科洛德大楼。摄影：Herbertkikoy，CC BY-SA 4.0，取自 Wikimedia Commons / Photo: Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) building in Bacolod. Photo by Herbertkikoy, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
