Ferrer made the manifestation after Kapunan and the defense exchanged remarks during the cross-examination of a witness in the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte.
“Yung mga ganoon ho, Your Honor, wala ho yung lugar dito sa (Response such as those have no place in this) courtroom because we are all lawyers here, we are all professionals,” Ferrer said.
“Igalang naman ho natin yung kapwa natin na lawyer (Let us respect our fellow lawyer),” she added.
Ferrer also acknowledged Kapunan’s longer experience as a lawyer, saying this should not prevent both sides from treating each other with respect.
“Halimbawa, kagaya nito, mas matanda po sa akin si Atty. Lorna Kapunan (For example, like this, she is older than me). Maybe she has more years of experience. She has 48 years, I have 15. We should learn to respect each other,” Ferrer said.
Earlier, Ferrer also appealed to the impeachment court to remind Kapunan not to argue for the witness during cross-examination, saying the prosecution counsel was “indirectly teaching her witness.”
“She’s citing circulars, she’s citing laws, which is not allowed during cross-examination,” Ferrer said.
Presiding Officer Senator Francis Escudero intervened, describing the exchange as part of the “seeming generational divide tension” that the court was trying to avoid.
“This is part of the seeming generational divide tension that the court is trying to avoid. So, let’s leave it at that, counsel,” Escudero said.
Kapunan then accepted the court’s guidance.
“I accept what she said. I will refrain from lecturing her, Your Honor,” Kapunan said.
Ferrer’s manifestation underscored the defense’s call for both the prosecution and defense teams to maintain professionalism and mutual respect as the Senate impeachment court continues hearing the case against Duterte.