The defense team of Vice President Sara Duterte maintained that the initial Commission on Audit (COA) findings presented during the Senate impeachment trial represent only “one side of the story,” promising to closely examine the audit observations as the trial progresses.
Defense spokesperson and lawyer Michael Poa clarified to reporters following Monday’s hearing that the prosecution’s first COA witness primarily identified the agency’s existing audit findings.
He emphasized that this initial testimony should not be viewed as a complete account of the impeachment issues.
“Sabihin na lang natin na kaya nating suriin yung mga naging findings ng COA para maipakita lang sa ating mga kababayan kung ano yung buong storya,” Poa said. “Because it is just one side of the story. But again, factual lang naman ang nangyari kanina, di ba?”
Poa noted that the defense plans to remain grounded in documented facts when cross-examining prosecution witnesses regarding their specific testimonies.
“Lumalabas lang naman ang COA findings, so sa ating pagsusuri as much as possible syempre factual lang din po tayo. We will stick to what COA knows. We cannot naman kasi add on to the limitation ng witness kung ano lang yung participation niya doon sa testimonya na binibigay po niya,” he added.
Defense Refrains from Substantive Arguments
Poa consistently held back from discussing the substance of the prosecution’s evidence, explaining that doing so at this point would prematurely argue the merits of the case. He added that the testimony presented no new surprises, as the witness merely identified official audit records.
“Sa aming pananaw, ‘yan naman ang lumabas sa COA findings—pina-identify lang naman sa COA kung ano yung kanilang findings,” Poa said. “So, kumbaga, nothing that we haven’t read before. I think ang hindi lang nasasagot ng COA pa sa ngayon is ano nangyari after ng mga findings nila, which I’m sure we’ll get to in the next few days.”
He indicated that unresolved matters will be addressed during cross-examination and through evidence the defense will present later, as another COA witness is scheduled to take the stand.
”Those are matters that we will discuss in the coming days. I cannot answer them yet because we would already be delving into the merits,” Poa stated.
Further Testimony Anticipated
Highlighting that the prosecution is still presenting its case, the defense urged the public to refrain from drawing early conclusions based solely on initial witness testimony.
“Let’s just wait na matapos itong witness na ito and again, hindi lang ito ang witness, meron pang ibang witnesses to come,” Poa appealed.
He reiterated that the legal team will refrain from commenting extensively on unexamined issues to safeguard both the prosecution’s presentation and the defense’s trial strategy.