Kapunan: Prosecution panel to call VP Sara Duterte to witness stand

Lawyer Lorna Kapunan FILE PHOTO MANILA, Philippines — In lieu of the other witnesses for Article I of the Articles of Impeachment, the prosecution panel will call Vice President Sara Duterte before the witness stand to clarify matters regarding different issues, including alleged confidential fund misuse. In her manifestation on Tuesday, private prosecutor Lorna Kapunan said that they are forgoing the presentation of 15 of 27 witnesses for Article I, and instead reserves the right to summon Duterte before the Senate Impeachment Court to quiz her about all articles. READ: Kapunan: Impeachment issues repetitive because ‘truth is never new’ Article continues after this advertisement “Originally your Honor prosecution intended and this is so stated in our pretrial brief, 27 witnesses […] thus far we presented 10, and stipulated two other witnesses, rendering unnecessary their personal presence in court. All these lead — that’s why I started with a metaphor of all of these actors in the chess board, point to only one person,” Kapunan said during the trial on Tuesday. “All of these pawns and castles and horses and bishop, point to only one person, and that accountable person is the Vice President. And that is why your Honor, in lieu of presenting 15 other witnesses, we will be presenting the Vice President herself as regards misuse, misappropriation of confidential funds, which is Article I of the Articles of Impeachment,” she added. When asked by Presiding Officer and Senator-judge Francis Escudero if they will ask for a subpoena for Duterte, Kapunan explained that they will not yet seek one since they will be calling the Vice President at the end of the presentation of all articles. “And as well we have two remaining Articles your Honor, the article on unexplained wealth and bribery, all of which unless the Vice President herself appears and respects the process of this impeachment court and affirms, confirms her allegation of innocence your Honor,” Kapunan said. “Not at this time your Honor […] the testimony of the Vice President will be material to all four articles, the article on grave threats, Article IV, Article I on misuse and misappropriation of confidential funds, Article II on unexplained wealth, and Article III on bribery. And that is why, at the end of all of these articles, we reserve the right to present the Vice President herself,” she added. Article continues after this advertisement The prosecution has finished presenting evidence and witnesses for Article IV or the allegation that Duterte betrayed public trust when she threatened President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and his relatives. As of Tuesday, 12 witnesses have been presented for Article I. Last week, lead public prosecutor and Batangas Rep. Gerville Luistro said they are looking to wrap up discussions for Article I by Wednesday, September 9. /jpv Your subscription could not be saved. Please try again. Your subscription has been successful.