Atty. Michael Poa —Photo by Isabelle Pechay
MANILA, Philippines — Vice President Sara Duterte’s defense team on Tuesday said they “did not expect” the House prosecution panel to withdraw two witnesses from the impeachment trial, but added that they respect the panel’s prerogative, even recognizing that the defense could potentially do the same in future proceedings.
Defense spokesperson Michael Poa said this after private prosecutor Lorna Kapunan announced near the conclusion of the trial’s fifth day that the prosecution panel had decided to withdraw Office of the Vice President chief of staff Zuleika Lopez and House of Representatives Legislative Security Bureau Executive Director Belinda Bello as their witnesses in tackling Article IV of the impeachment complaints.
Article IV involves the kill plot the vice president herself revealed during an online press conference against President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., first lady Liza Marcos, and former Speaker Martin Romualdez.
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