Senate court delays confidential funds article in Duterte trial

NBI Director Melvin Matibag. INQUIRER PHOTO / NIÑO JESUS ORBETA MANILA, Philippines – The Senate impeachment court will not tackle on Wednesday Article I, referring to Vice President Sara Duterte’s alleged misuse of confidential funds, after it granted the defense motion for a continuance in the cross-examination of National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) Director Melvin Matibag. Defense counsel Mark Vinluan asked the court on Tuesday if it could continue the rest of its cross-examination of Matibag for Article IV, or Duterte’s alleged grave threats, the day after to give the camp time to examine the documents the House prosecution panel presented. The prosecution panel earlier showed to the court the affidavit former Davao Death Squad member, and police officer Arturo Lascañas to provide the NBI’s assessment that Duterte had a “pattern of violence.” Article continues after this advertisement READ: Sara Duterte in The Hague as impeachment trial enters 8th day During this time, Vinluan requested that the defense be furnished a copy for review, stating that the exhibit was listed under impeachment Article II, on Duterte’s supposed unexplained wealth, and not Article IV. After the court presiding officer Francis “Chiz” Escudero granted the defense continuance on Matibag’s cross-examination, he also withdrew the subpoenas for the witnesses for Article I. “Director Matibag, we expect you to come back and be here again tomorrow… at 2:00 pm to continue with your testimony via the cross-examination, redirect or re-cross for the counsel for the parties and questions from the senator-judges,” Escudero said. Asked if Matibag could commit to an attendance without a subpoena, Matibag answered: “Yes, Your Honor. Gladly.” /mr Your subscription could not be saved. Please try again. Your subscription has been successful.