A spokesperson for Vice President Sara Duterte’s legal defense team clarified on Wednesday that no disrespect was intended during a tense courtroom exchange between defense counsel Atty. Kristine Ferrer and private prosecutor Atty. Lorna Kapunan during the 15th day of the impeachment proceedings.
Atty. Michael Poa addressed the incident after Kapunan, a veteran lawyer on the prosecution panel, told reporters during a break that she expected Ferrer to remain respectful, noting she had raised her own sons not to be disrespectful.
“Maybe Atty. Kristine was highly charged,” Poa said. “Every lawyer has his or her own style, pero I don’t think naman na Atty. Kristine was disrespectful kanina. So, I don’t want to comment any further.”
“But for me, I’m sure there’s no intention to disrespect anyone, be it the opposing counsel, the witness, or the honorable court,” he added.
Poa highlighted that varying approaches to lawyering have been visible throughout the trial, stating,
“I’m sure you can tell after seeing different faces, different lawyers the past few weeks.”
The spokesperson admitted he had not spoken with Ferrer immediately following the confrontation, explaining,
“We usually let the lawyers handle themselves the way they’re used to handling themselves.”
He further noted that changes in courtroom demeanor often depend on the dynamics of the cross-examination and formal objections.
“Siguro noong umaga, yung nature ng questions, nature ng objections, tapos sa hapon medyo nag-iba na yung nature of questions,” he said.
“There’s really no intention to disrespect anyone on our part, and I’m sure especially kahit naman yung prosecution nakita naman natin there’s no intention to disrespect anyone,” Poa added.
The clash erupted earlier in the day when Ferrer called out Kapunan for making side comments during the trial, emphasizing that such remarks were out of line in a court setting.
Ferrer specifically referenced earlier comments made by Kapunan during the proceedings, including “I was about to spank her” and “I was about to lecture her.”