The defense team in the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte said it has not ruled out the possibility of calling Office of the Vice President Chief of Staff Atty. Zuleika Lopez as a witness.
Defense spokesperson Atty. Michael Poa said there is “always that possibility” when asked whether Lopez could testify during the proceedings.
Poa said the defense has not made a final decision and will determine whether Lopez’s testimony will be necessary as the trial progresses.
He explained that Lopez was not included in the defense’s pre-trial brief because its initial assessment concluded that her testimony was not required at that stage of the proceedings.
However, Poa said the defense remains open to presenting Lopez if circumstances during the trial indicate that her testimony is needed.
Earlier, the prosecution decided not to call Lopez and House Legislative Security Bureau Executive Director Belinda Bello as witnesses.
According to Poa, it is common in legal proceedings for parties to decide against presenting certain witnesses when they believe the testimonies and evidence already submitted are sufficient to support their case.
The defense has not indicated when it will make a final decision regarding Lopez’s possible appearance as a witness.
The impeachment proceedings against Vice President Duterte are continuing, with both sides evaluating their legal strategies as the case moves forward. The defense maintained that witness lists may be adjusted depending on developments during the trial, while reiterating that no final determination has been made regarding Lopez’s testimony.
The prosecution’s earlier decision not to present Lopez or Bello does not prevent the defense from calling either individual as a witness if it later determines that their testimony is necessary under the court’s procedures.
