On Wednesday, Senator Francis “Chiz” Escudero lauded both the prosecution and defense panels for maintaining a dignified and polite tone during their oral arguments in the ongoing impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte.
Acting as the presiding officer of the Senate impeachment court, Escudero offered his praise after defense lawyer Atty. Michael Poa and House prosecutor Rep. Chel Diokno of the Akbayan Party-list clashed over whether the tribunal could legally compel the disclosure of Duterte’s bank accounts and tax documents via subpoenas.
Prior to wrapping up the day’s session, Escudero formally entered his appreciation into the record, highlighting the professional manner in which both counsels addressed the highly charged matter.
“I would like to state on the record that I congratulate both sides, particularly Hon. (Chel) Diokno and Atty. (Michael) Poa, for a calm, gentle, gentlemanly, and respectful discourse and debate regarding what we consider to be a controversial issue.”
After their exchange, Diokno and Poa were observed shaking hands on the Senate floor.
The core of the dispute centers on the prosecution’s push to issue subpoenas for the Vice President’s financial and tax history to build their case.
Poa, representing the defense, contended that multiple statutes shield these records, pointing to protections in the National Internal Revenue Code, the Law on Secrecy of Bank Deposits, the Anti-Money Laundering Act, and AMLC guidelines.
Conversely, Diokno argued that the cited laws do not explicitly bar an impeachment court from demanding these documents under its constitutional authority.
A final decision from the Senate impeachment court regarding the issuance of the subpoenas remains pending.