Citing concerns over the accuracy of the visuals presented to the Senate impeachment court, the defense team of Vice President Sara Duterte objected to the prosecution’s use of AI-generated images during the impeachment trial.

Defense spokesperson Atty. Michael Poa said the defense registered its objection because artificial intelligence-generated images may not accurately depict the subject being presented during the proceedings.

“Of course, we had to object to that because we had to ask at least for the proper basis kung bakit AI ang ginagamit (why AI was being used),” Poa said in a press briefing on Aug. 17.

The objection was raised as the prosecution used AI-generated visuals to provide context during its presentation.

Poa said the defense’s main concern was whether the images accurately represented what the prosecution intended to show, particularly an AI-generated depiction involving P125 million.

“Kasi hindi natin made-determine yung accuracy kung ganoon ba talaga ang itsura ng 125 million (We cannot determine the accuracy of whether that is really what P125 million looks like),” he said.

Poa said the defense did not immediately seek to have the use of AI-generated visuals prohibited, noting that its continuing objection had already been placed on record.

“No, I think we really… Well, we haven't really spoken about it after this, so I don't want to foreclose any possibility. But sa ngayon naman na-note naman yung continuing objection namin. I think that's enough for now (We have not really discussed it after this, so I don't want to foreclose any possibility. But for now, our continuing objection has been noted, and I think that's enough),” he added.

Despite its objection, Poa acknowledged that the prosecution may have used the AI-generated images simply to help explain its presentation to the court and the public.

“They wanted to give everyone, maybe not just people in court, but even the public kung ano yung puntong gusto nilang marating (an idea of the point they wanted to make),” he said.

However, Poa maintained that accuracy remains the defense’s primary concern.

“I think yung main concern lang talaga namin is kung accurate yung nakikita kasi baka exaggerated yung nakikita (is whether what is being shown is accurate because the image could be exaggerated),” he said.

Poa explained that the defense would continue to object when necessary while allowing the impeachment court to determine how the prosecution’s presentation should proceed.