The defense panel dropped City Prosecutor Vimar Barcellano as a witness in the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte after the House prosecution panel agreed to stipulate public records from the Quezon City Office of the City Prosecutor.
The agreement eliminates the need for Barcellano to take the stand to authenticate the documents, as both legal teams agreed to recognize them officially as public records.
Atty. Sheila Sison, the lead counsel for the defense team, informed the Senate impeachment court that Barcellano was initially lined up as their final witness for the day to identify and authenticate certified true copies he brought to the hearing.
However, Atty. Amando Ligutan, speaking for the private prosecution panel, stated that the testimony was unnecessary because the prosecution was willing to formally stipulate the existence of the documents.
Senator Francis “Chiz” Escudero, presiding over the impeachment court, ruled that the records could be presented for proper marking in accordance with the agreement, provided they originated as public records from the Quezon City Prosecutor’s Office.
Following the stipulation, Sison confirmed that the defense would no longer present Barcellano. Sison added that the defense anticipates presenting eight to ten additional witnesses in upcoming hearings.