VP defense seeks subpoena for 24 witnesses

MANILA, Philippines — The Senate impeachment court has been asked by the defense camp to subpoena 24 witnesses for the resumption of Vice President Sara Duterte’s impeachment trial on Nov. 9.

Impeachment court spokesperson Reginald Tongol yesterday announced the names of the witnesses who will testify during whole-day hearings from Nov. 9 to 13.

They are Suzette Balucanag-Punay, corporate counsel of GenCorp Industries Inc. and Metro City Chow Foods Corp.; engineer Jaime Adalin, Davao City assessor; engineer John Kenneth Enumerables, Island Garden City of Samal assessor; Vingelin Bajan, Davao City accountant; Cindy Colina, barangay chair of Matina Crossing, Davao City; Olivia Barcarse and lawyer Alvin Go of BDO Unibank; lawyers Paul Roderick Ysmael and Cesar Bernard Coloma of the Bank of the Philippine Islands; lawyer Marino Buban Jr. of EastWest Bank; Joselito Vallada of Landbank of the Philippines;

Lawyers Janella Marie Panlilio of Metropolitan Bank and Trust Co.; Jose Manuel Jr., Rodel Mediavillo and May Ann Candaroma-Morales of Philippine Savings Bank; Joseph Anthony Lopez of Security Bank; Joselito Banaag, Louiemel Panes, Rogelio Villos Jr., Jayah Deneserie Scalf and Gemma Lynn Del Mundo of UnionBank of the Philippines; as well as Anel Martin Antero from San Jose del Monte, Bulacan; Chadrin Parian from Las Piñas; and Vimar Barcellano, Quezon City prosecutor.

Political and constitutional law professor Ralph Sarmiento, said he is grateful to the defense team “for recognizing the value of the legal and constitutional views that” he has been sharing on social media.

“However, I cannot stand as witness for either side. It is important to me that I keep my independence as a constitutional law professor and as a legal analyst. I want to continue to give,” he added.

Michael Poa, spokesperson for Duterte’s defense team, said, “We respect dean Sarmiento’s personal decision and appreciate his initial consideration of our invitation.”

Threshold

Tongol confirmed that the court, through the Office of the Solicitor General, has replied to the petition filed before the Supreme Court against its decision to move the voting threshold to convict the Vice President.

“The impeachment court did not amend the Constitution; it simply ensured that the verdict will be decided strictly by the Senator-Judges who actually heard the evidence, rather than allowing absent or detained Senators who never participated in the trial to cast an artificial vote of acquittal,” Tongol said. –  Evelyn Macairan, Gilbert Bayoran