Sara Duterte Impeachment Trial Day 43: Escudero Warns Against Intimidating Witnesses as Defense Drops BPI Lawyer
The Philippine Senate impeachment court resumed the trial of Vice President Sara Duterte on November 12 for its 43rd day. Before the session opened, Presiding Officer Senator Francis Escudero reminded all senator-judges and lawyers not to intimidate witnesses, saying that an unsatisfactory or evasive answer does not automatically amount to contempt of court.
Citing Supreme Court rulings, Escudero said contempt powers must be used sparingly. He also invoked Section 3, Rule 132 of the Rules of Evidence, which protects witnesses from improper, irrelevant or insulting questions and harsh treatment. He acknowledged that repeated answers of 'I do not know' or 'I do not recall' from defense witnesses earlier this week had tested the court's patience, and said the reminder applied equally to himself. Senator-Judge Panfilo Lacson proposed circulating the reminder in writing to all senator-judges, and Escudero directed that it be done.
The same day, the defense dropped Bank of the Philippine Islands (BPI) lawyer Paul Roderick Ysmael from its witness list. Defense spokesperson Michael Poa told the court that Ysmael had already admitted in an earlier hearing to authoring the letter at issue, and that the letter is formally marked as Defense Exhibit D-2-190-BPI, so his testimony was no longer required. Escudero confirmed the letter remains part of the court's official records.
Private prosecutor James Bryan Ibrahim Alih expressed reservations, noting that the subpoenaed records contain details the prosecution had intended to cover in cross-examination. Escudero responded that the prosecution can address the matter through memoranda, closing remarks, or a tender of excluded evidence after both sides finish presenting evidence.
On Day 42 of the trial, on November 11, a defense witness confirmed that Sara Duterte received more than 2.14 million pesos from GenCorp, and the court moved to summon the original investment records. The trial continues.
Related: Day 42: Defense witness confirms Sara received over 2.14 million pesos from GenCorp
(Source: Senate of the Philippines)
Source: Senate of the Philippines
Published by GSM · USA (original Chinese edition)
Photo: 图：菲律宾副总统莎拉·杜特尔特官方肖像（资料图）。照片：菲律宾副总统办公室，公共领域，经维基共享资源，本站档案图复用。 / Photo: Official portrait of Philippine Vice President Sara Duterte (file photo). Photo by the Office of the Vice President of the Philippines, public domain, via Wikimedia Commons; GSM archive reuse.
