Prosecution wants to call Sara Duterte to witness stand

MANILA, Philippines – The prosecution team in the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte on Tuesday, September 8, said that it will call Duterte to the witness stand. “All of these pawns, and castles, and horses, and bishops point to only one person, and that accountable person is the Vice President,” prosecutor Lorna Kapunan said at the start of the trial on Tuesday. “That is why in lieu of presenting 15 other witnesses, we will be presenting the Vice President herself as regards use, misuse, misappropriation of confidential funds which is Article 1 in the articles of impeachment,” she added. Kapunan said while the prosecution will not request the court to subpoena Duterte for now, it reserves the right to do so after the presentation of all remaining impeachment articles. The defense team opposed the move, citing Article 3, Section 17 of the Constitution which states that “no person shall be compelled to be a witness against himself.” “It is clear that respondent is here through her counsel. If respondent is not interested in this trial, she would not have even sent her lawyers to defend her,” lead defense lawyer Sheila SIson said. Presiding officer Chiz Escudero said the court will wait for a formal motion to be filed by the prosecution before making a ruling, but he floated the possibility of conducting oral arguments to settle the matter. He noted that the late former chief justice Renato Corona testified in his own trial in 2012, although that was voluntary. No trial will take place on Wednesday, September 9. The court will instead reconvene on Monday, September 14, as the prosecution begins presentation of the impeachment article concerning Duterte’s alleged unexplained wealth. The defense team had asked for more time to prepare before the prosecution kicks off its unexplained wealth case, but Escudero, noting the Senate’s tight timetable, insisted that the prosecution proceed with presenting its first witnesses next week. As compromise, the defense team could choose not to immediately conduct its cross-examination. – Rappler.com