The camp of Vice President Sara Duterte has urged the government to maintain consistency in its diplomatic approach toward China, cautioning against hostility following questions raised during her ongoing impeachment trial.
Speaking to reporters at the Senate on Monday, November 9, defense spokesperson Atty. Paolo Panelo emphasized the need to preserve productive ties with Beijing and avoid letting domestic political disputes disrupt diplomatic relations.
He pointed to recent remarks by Foreign Affairs Secretary Ma. Theresa Lazaro highlighting the necessity of dialogue and diplomatic channels.
”And balikan po natin yung mga recent statements ng DFA Secretary natin na dapat productive engagements tayo with China, hindi natin sila inaaway, dapat dumaan sa diplomatic channels yung pag-uusap sa China,” Panelo stated.
”So, dapat maging consistent tayo. So, huwag natin po silang i-demonize dahil may issue na ganito, huwag nating daanin sa politika ito,” he added.
Impeachment Trial and Witness Credibility
Panelo’s statements followed questioning from the prosecution and several senator-judges regarding an official trip to China made by the defense’s first witness, Davao City Assessor Engr. Jaime Adalin. The prosecution pressed Adalin on his trip preparations and recall of details.
The defense spokesperson questioned the line of questioning, arguing that the travel bore no relation to the proceedings or the witness’s integrity as a public official.
”Ang basa ko doon is nagulat siya na kinanong siya tungkol sa bagay na yun dahil hindi naman talaga relevant,” Panelo said.
”Ano namang kinalaman ng credibility ng isang government official kung meron siyang official trip to China? Sa akin, para sa akin, wala,” he continued.
Focus on SALN Declaration
Panelo stressed that the core issue of the impeachment case centers strictly on whether a specific property in Barangay Matina Crossing, Davao City, was properly declared in the Vice President’s Statement of Assets, Liabilities, and Net Worth (SALN), rather than foreign travel.
According to Panelo, the witness’s testimony successfully challenged the prosecution’s narrative regarding the asset.
”Ang tanong dito is na-declare ba o hindi,” he noted.
”At tingin ko ang nangyari dito sa testimony ni Engineer, basag po ang naging presentation ng prosecution tungkol dito sa Barangay Matina Crossing property,” Panelo asserted.
The defense maintained that the prosecution has yet to prove that the property discussed by the witness differs from the one listed in the Vice President’s SALN, calling for concrete evidence instead of speculation.