"Objection overruled", "objection sustained", "hostile witness".

These are just a few of the words and phrases that Filipinos will hear and read countless times as they follow the gripping Senate impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte.

To help the public appreciate and get a better grasp of the high-stakes proceedings, the Manila Bulletin has prepared a short list of common courtroom terms especially for the layman audience.

Here it is:

Arraignment – First court appearance; charges are read and a plea is entered

Plea – Defendant’s formal response (guilty, not guilty, no contest).

Opening statements – Lawyers outline their cases to the jury.

Motion to dismiss – A request to throw out the case before it goes further, usually arguing there’s not enough legal basis to continue.

Trial proper – The main stage of the trial where evidence is presented, witnesses testify, and objections are raised.

Evidence in chief – Main evidence presented by a party.

Marking of evidence – The process of labeling and identifying each piece of evidence (like “Exhibit A” or “Exhibit 1”) so the court can track and refer to it clearly.

Exhibit – Physical or documentary evidence shown in court.

Certified true copy – An official duplicate of a document, stamped or signed by an authorized officer to confirm it matches the original.

Witness – A person who testifies under oath about what they saw, heard, or know that relates to the case.

Testimony – What a witness says under oath.

Direct examination – Lawyer questions their own witness.

Cross-examination – Opposing lawyer questions the witness.

Re-direct – Original lawyer follows up after cross.

Re-cross – Opposing lawyer questions again after re-direct. A re-cross cannot happen without a re-direct.

Hostile witness – A witness who resists or undermines the lawyer’s case; allows tougher questioning.

Objection – Lawyer challenges a question or evidence.

Objection sustained – What the judge/ presiding officer says when the objection wins.

Objection overruled – What the judge/ presiding officer says when the objection loses.

Sidebar – Private discussion between judge and lawyers.

Subpoena – General legal order to appear or produce documents.

Subpoena ad testificandum – A subpoena requiring a person to appear in court and testify as a witness.

Subpoena duces tecum – A subpoena requiring a person to bring documents, records, or physical evidence to court.

Affidavit – Written statement sworn under oath.

Defense – Legal party representing the accused.

Prosecution – Legal party presenting the case against the accused.

Presiding officer – Judge (in this case, senator) overseeing the trial.

Closing arguments – Lawyers summarize their cases.

Verdict – Judge announces decision.

Acquittal – A finding of “not guilty".

Conviction – A finding of “guilty".

Sentencing – Judge imposes punishment if guilty.

Contempt of court – Disobeying or disrespecting the court.

Remand – Sending a defendant back into custody or a case back to a lower court.