Escudero lauds Poa, Diokno for ‘calm’ oral arguments on VP’s tax records

VP Sara Duterte counsel and impeachment spokesperson Michael Poa (left) and counsel for the prosecution, Rep. Chel Diokno, were seen shaking hands after their oral arguments in the Senate impeachment court. —Photo courtesy of the Senate

MANILA, Philippines — Sen. Francis “Chiz” Escudero, who presides over the impeachment court, on Wednesday lauded the “calm” oral arguments between Vice President Sara Duterte’s defense counsel and a House prosecutor panel member.

Escudero made the remark after Duterte’s counsel and impeachment spokesperson Michael Poa and Akbayan Rep. Chel Diokno debated if the impeachment court could subpoena the vice president’s bank and tax records during her trial.

Before the court went into recess, Escudero said: “I would like to state on the record that I congratulate both sides, particularly Honorable Diokno and Attorney Poa, for a calm, gentle, gentlemanly, and respectful discourse and debate regarding what we consider to be a controversial issue.”

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