THE prosecution panel in the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Z. Duterte may drop additional witnesses from its presentation of evidence on her alleged misuse of confidential funds after hearing the testimonies of former Department of Education (DepEd) disbursing officer Edward Fajarda and Office of the Vice President (OVP) Assistant Secretary Lemuel Ortonio.
Manila Rep. Joel Chua, a member of the House prosecution panel, said said their team will have to reassess the remaining lineup after each testimony before deciding who among the remaining witnesses will be dropped.
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“Nakita naman natin na mabigat ‘yung salaysay ni Gina Acosta so inaasahan natin na ganun din ang magiging salaysay ni Edward Fajarda,” Chua said.
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Fajarda previously testified during the House investigation into his handling of DepEd confidential funds when the Vice President was still concurrent education secretary.
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The pre-trial lineup on confidential fund misuse charge contains additional potential witnesses from the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP).
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“So from there, titingnan natin kung may kinakailangan pa na mga testigo dahil ang alam ko nakalinya pa ‘yung mga AFP,” Chua said.
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The prosecution earlier shortened its presentation on Article IV on Duterte’s alleged threat to have President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. assassinated after concluding that several additional witnesses would merely duplicate factual points already established.
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Chua said the same approach could now be applied to the confidential funds phase. “Kung sa tingin namin matibay na, napatunayan na namin lahat ‘yung dapat mapatunayan, yun e magiging depende ‘yan sa mga magiging legal strategy namin sa mga susunod na araw,” he said.
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Private prosecutor and House prosecution legal spokesperson Atty. Benjamin “Jay” Tolosa Jr. confirmed that Fajarda and Ortonio remain among the upcoming witnesses.
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“But so far, and nangunguna na ‘yung nakapangalan, ang susunod na witness si Ginoong Fajarda at si Mr. Ordonio,” Tolosa said.
