Photo credit: House of Representatives of the Philippines

House prosecutor Lorenz Defensor said the defense’s lengthy cross-examinations during Vice President Sara Duterte’s impeachment trial failed to weaken the testimonies of prosecution witnesses, particularly on the authenticity and significance of the recorded statements presented before the Senate impeachment court.

Defensor said the extended questioning gave witnesses more opportunities to explain the evidence and show that they had nothing to conceal.

“Kahit dalawa, tatlo at apat na oras mong i-cross-examine ang aming testigo, wala kang mapipiga sa testigong nagsasabi ng totoo at walang itinatago,” Defensor stressed.

The defense spent hours examining witnesses on the handling and authentication of the recordings, investigative documents, and the basis of the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) findings.

Despite the lengthy proceedings, Defensor said the prosecution remains confident that it has presented its case clearly to the impeachment court and to the public following the trial.

“That is why the prosecution is confident that we have presented our case clearly to the Impeachment Court, as well as to all Filipinos who are watching the impeachment proceedings,” he explained.

The testimony and evidence presented were related to Article IV of the impeachment complaint, which involves Duterte’s recorded statements allegedly involving President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos, and then-Speaker of the House Martin Romualdez.

Defensor said the pace of the trial has allowed the prosecution’s evidence to be repeatedly reviewed, giving witnesses the chance to explain why they believe the alleged statements constitute violations.

“The prosecution has greatly benefited with the pace of the trial. Kasi paulit-ulit na lumalabas yung aming ebidensya, at paulit-ulit na nasasabi ng aming mga testigo bakit ito naging violation, hindi lang sa batas as a threat, but it's a violation of the Constitution in the form of betrayal of public trust,” Defensor said.

While some observers have raised concerns about the length of the hearings, Defensor attributed the slower pace mainly to the defense’s extended questioning of witnesses.

“Ang cross-examination lang naman ng defense ang nagpatagal sa trial. Kung dalawa o tatlong oras ulit ang kanilang pag-cross-examine sa mga susunod naming testigo, sigurado akong Valentine's Day tayo matatapos,” he quipped.

Defensor said the upcoming testimony of NBI Director Melvin Matibag is expected to complete the prosecution’s presentation for Article IV, adding that additional witnesses may no longer be necessary.

“After the testimony of Director Matibag, it will be the right time to stop, naging matatag at malinaw ang pagpresenta ng aming ebidensya. Our witnesses who are credible have said that the case is airtight at sigurado silang the threat is real,” he stressed.

“Tama na ang timpla. Kung dadagdagan mo pa ang rekado, baka mag-iba pa yung lasa,” Defensor added.