Senate Impeachment Court presiding officer Francis "Chiz" Escudero on Wednesday, August 5, ruled that there is no conflict of interest on the part of Michael Poa, serving as defense counsel for Vice President Sara Duterte in her impeachment trial despite his participation in a 2023 meeting with the...
Commission on Audit (COA) auditor Roderick Wamil’s testimony on Vice President Sara Duterte 's alleged confidential funds misuse remained unrebutted, private prosecutor Benjamin "Jay" Tolosa Jr. said. Tolosa gave this assessment ahead of day 13 of respondent Duterte 's Senate...
House prosecutor Bicol Saro Party-list Rep. Terry Ridon described as "irregular" and "improper" the alleged request of Vice President Sara Duterte 's subordinates for the Commission on Audit (COA) to temper its actions on the audit of confidential funds. Ridon was referring to COA auditor...
Noting that the prosecution has yet to establish its allegations, the defense team of Vice President Sara Duterte on Tuesday, August 4, reiterated that there was "no misuse" or misappropriation of the Office of the Vice President 's (OVP) confidential funds. Defense spokesperson Atty. Michael...
Recognizing that both the prosecution and the defense have been given equal opportunities to present their arguments, the defense team of Vice President Sara Duterte on Tuesday, Aug. 4, said the Senate impeachment court has been fair in handling the proceedings. Defense spokesperson Atty. Michael...
The defense team of Vice President Sara Duterte on Tuesday, August 4, disputed claims that she was the first vice president in Philippine history to receive confidential funds, saying such assertions are misleading and inconsistent with historical records. Speaking to reporters after the day...
Office of the Vice President (OVP) and the Department of Education (DepEd) officials purportedly asked the Commission on Audit (COA) to issue a less formal “audit query” instead of an Audit Observation Memorandum (AOM) over deficiencies in the agencies’ confidential fund submissions, a COA...
Noting that it would be premature to discuss the matter while the Senate impeachment trial remains in the prosecution 's presentation of evidence, the defense team of Vice President Sara Duterte on Monday, August 3, declined to comment on issues involving "Mary Grace Piattos." Defense...
Stressing that subpoenaed documents are not automatically admissible as evidence, the defense team of Vice President Sara Duterte on Monday, August 3, said thousands of acknowledgment receipts presented in the impeachment trial remain subject to legal scrutiny. Defense spokesperson and lawyer...
The defense team of Vice President Sara Duterte on Monday, August 3, maintained that the Commission on Audit (COA) findings presented during the Senate impeachment trial reflect only "one side of the story," saying it would challenge the audit observations as the proceedings move forward. Speaking...
The defense team of Vice President Sara Duterte on Monday, August 3, rejected the prosecution 's assertion that the Office of the Vice President (OVP) spent its P125 million confidential fund within 11 days in December 2022, disputing a claim based on Commission on Audit (COA) records during...
Vice President Sara Duterte 's defense said it deliberately limited its cross-examination of the prosecution 's witnesses during the July 29 session as part of its legal strategy to avoid unnecessarily prolonging the Senate impeachment trial. In a press briefing following the session,...