General articles are free for 24 hours after publish.
Sara Duterte Impeachment Trial: Defense Counsel Declared Hostile Witness
The impeachment trial of Philippine Vice President Sara Duterte took a significant turn as her own defense counsel, former Education Undersecretary Michael Poa, was declared a hostile witness by the prosecution. The Senate impeachment court granted the prosecution the right to ask leading questions, a move that could impact the trial's trajectory.
MANILA, Philippines – Day 21 of Vice President Sara Duterte’s impeachment trial on Wednesday centered on the Senate impeachment court’s declaration of her own defense counsel, former Education Undersecretary Michael Poa, as a hostile witness for the prosecution. Presiding officer Sen. Francis Escudero granted private prosecutor Benjamin Tolosa Jr. the right to ask leading questions. This development marks a significant turning point in the impeachment proceedings. Typically, defense counsel represents the interests of the accused. However, when a witness is declared hostile, the opposing party is allowed to pose leading questions, a tactic often used to elicit testimony and bolster the prosecution's case. The trial has drawn considerable attention not only for its implications on Duterte’s political standing but also for its examination of evidence presentation and witness examination within the Philippine judicial system. As the impeachment trial of a high-ranking official, it has the potential to impact the nation's political stability, making the future proceedings a subject of intense scrutiny. Source: Inquirer NewsInfo
Original source
Inquirer NewsInfo