It is too early to determine whether Vice President Sara Duterte will testify on behalf of her defense team in her ongoing impeachment trial, defense spokesperson Atty. Michael Poa said.
The prosecution has insisted that Duterte should personally appear before the impeachment proceedings, citing the seriousness of the allegations against her and what it described as strong evidence.
Prosecutors argued that only the vice president herself could explain the allegations involving her alleged unexplained wealth.
However, during an ambush interview, Poa said the defense was only beginning its presentation of witnesses and evidence, making discussions about Duterte’s possible testimony premature.
He said the defense team is currently focused on presenting evidence concerning the allegations of unexplained wealth against the vice president.
Poa also said the defense respects the prosecution’s comments about its witness list, after prosecutors described the lineup as lacking substance.
Asked about the criticism, Poa said they would leave it to the public to judge which side’s witnesses were truly lacking.
Meanwhile, Poa assured that the defense has no intention of prolonging the impeachment trial within the 30 days allocated for its presentation.
