Attorney Michael Wesley T. Poa, spokesperson for Duterte’s defense counsel, said Wednesday that the team no longer sees the need to present most of the bank representatives because their testimonies and relevant documents had already been covered during the prosecution's presentation and interpellations.
Poa said the defense decided to retain a representative from the Bank of the Philippine Islands (BPI) to address specific matters that require further clarification and authentication. BuyMaps
He explained that presenting witnesses whose testimonies could already be established through documents on record would only consume the time of the impeachment court.
The defense also dropped the testimony of a barangay chairman, leaving four witnesses to testify for the remainder of the week.
Poa said additional witnesses are lined up for next week's scheduled hearings, but declined to disclose their number and identities, adding that their purpose would be detailed in the defense team's formal manifestation to the impeachment court.
He also refused to confirm whether Duterte herself would take the witness stand, saying it was still too early to discuss the possibility as the defense had yet to complete the presentation of its evidence.
Meanwhile, Poa said the defense would present another witness to address questions raised by senator-judges concerning discrepancies in corporate records and the nature of the income or benefits allegedly received by the Vice President from several corporations.
He declined to discuss the matter further, citing the sub judice rule.
Atty. Michael Wesley Poa
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