HOUSE prosecutors said on Thursday the defense’s decision to drop its BPI witness prevented them from questioning the bank official about documents concerning dollar accounts while maintaining confidence in the evidence already presented against Vice President Sara Z. Duterte.
Private prosecutor Atty. Benjamin “Jay” Tolosa Jr. said the panel had expected BPI senior vice president and legal officer Paul Roderick Ysmael to take the stand.
“We were surprised, and well, it’s their prerogative, they decided not to call him anymore,” Tolosa said at the
post-trial press conference Thursday.
Defense counsel Michael Poa told the impeachment court that the only purpose of presenting Ysmael was to authenticate Poa’s letter to the bank. Poa had already acknowledged writing the letter, which had been marked as an exhibit.
Tolosa said the prosecution wanted to ask about other material submitted by BPI.
“Unfortunately, before we had the chance to cross-examine the witness about this dollar account, they dispensed with this testimony, so we weren’t able to ask him questions about that anymore,” he said.
During the hearing, prosecution counsel Atty. James Bryan Ibrahim Alih referred to a letter from BPI that he said confirmed the existence of dollar accounts belonging to the vice president. He noted that these accounts were outside the scope of an earlier subpoena. No BPI officer testified Thursday about their contents or balances.
Spokesperson Zia Alonto Adiong said calling the officer would have exposed the documents to further examination.
“It would open up a floodgate of questions that they could not possibly manage,” he said.
Adiong framed any broader financial questions conditionally.
“Kung alimbawa mapuproof yan na may dollar account, kung may dollar account alimbawa si Vice President Sara Duterte,” he said, before suggesting the inquiry might extend beyond the prosecution’s existing P817.87-million estimate.
“It could probably be more,” he said.
No additional amount was identified or computed at the briefing. The prosecution’s previously presented P817.87-million estimate, based on forensic accountant Alexander Cabrera’s findings, remained unchanged.
Asked whether the defense had dropped the witness to prevent damaging answers, Manila 3rd District Rep. Joel Chua cautioned against treating a possible motive as established.
“Well, we can only guess, di ba,” Chua said.
Presiding Officer Francis “Chiz” Escudero deferred Alih’s proposed presentation at the hearing. He said the prosecution would have an opportunity at the proper time through available procedures, including possible rebuttal after the defense rested.
Tolosa said the panel had prepared for the bank testimony despite the defense controlling its witness selection.
“But of course, we’ve prepared to cross-examine all of their witnesses,” he said.
Chua said the panel remained ready for bank representatives the defense still intended to present.
“Handa kami pagdating sa cross-examination,” he said.
metrosundaily
