Senator-judge Erwin Tulfo on Monday questioned why a witness in the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte appeared to have difficulty speaking in Filipino, despite answering questions in the same language during previous hearings.

Tulfo raised the issue during Day 16 of the impeachment trial as Gina Acosta, Duterte’s former special disbursing officer at the Office of the Vice President, initially answered questions only in Cebuano.

Tulfo cited a transcript of Acosta’s testimony before the House of Representatives in November, where she appeared to respond to questions in Tagalog and English.

He questioned why Acosta now required questions and answers to be translated between Tagalog and Cebuano, saying this could prolong the proceedings.

“Hindi ko po maintindihan bakit parang dito hirap na hirap po siya mag-Tagalog when in fact sa Congress po noong November, Tagalog naman po ang sagot niya (I don’t understand why she seems to be having such a hard time speaking Tagalog here, when in fact, during the congressional hearing in November, she answered in Tagalog),” Tulfo said.

Tulfo also cited portions of the previous congressional transcript in which Acosta answered questions about incentive payments and her authority as a special disbursing officer.

“Mr. President, tama na po itong panloloko sa atin (Mr. President, this deception has to stop),” Tulfo said.

He urged the Senate, sitting as an impeachment court, to compel Acosta to speak in Tagalog, arguing that the witness could understand and speak the language based on her previous testimony.

“Sumagot naman po siya. Alangan ba naman, lolokohin tayo ng nagta-transcribe po nito,” Tulfo said.

Tulfo’s remarks came as senators continued questioning Acosta over her role in the handling and disbursement of confidential funds during Duterte’s tenure as vice president.