PASAY CITY — Vice President Sara Duterte’s defense team is asking the Senate impeachment court for permission to introduce rebuttal evidence regarding withdrawn impeachment articles, noting that the prosecution had already introduced testimony on those specific allegations.
Speaking at a press briefing at the Senate on Tuesday, October 13, defense spokesperson Atty. Michael Poa clarified that they are not contesting the prosecution’s decision to drop Articles I, III, and IV of the complaint.
However, the legal team raised concerns about being barred from calling witnesses to counter claims previously raised regarding confidential funds and grave threats.
“We were not objecting to that kasi it is really the position of the defense na prerogativa yan ng bawat panig kung paano nila represent yung mga ebidensyo nila,” Poa explained, emphasizing that their primary goal is ensuring a balanced public record.
“We want to be able to present evidence even on those articles that were withdrawn because gusto nating malaman ng ating mga kapabayan ang buong katotohanan at hindi yung katotohanan patay sa isang panig lamang,” he added.
Poa contrasted the current proceedings with the historical impeachment trial of former Chief Justice Renato Corona, pointing out that in the previous case, articles were withdrawn prior to the introduction of any supporting evidence.
“In Corona, nung wini-draw ng prosecution yung articles, hindi po sila nagpresenta ng ebidensya dun sa articles na winidraw nila. Dito, nag-presenta muna sila sa dalawa, tapos i-withdraw mo,” Poa stated.
Furthermore, the defense expressed reservations regarding the court’s expanded ruling on Rule 18 and the lifting of sub judice restrictions over the dropped articles.
While leaving the final decision to the discretion of the impeachment court, the defense hopes to formally present witness testimonies to address matters already introduced into the record.