Defense witness faces contempt warning in Duterte impeachment trial

MANILA — A defense witness in Vice President Sara Duterte's impeachment trial faced a contempt warning Tuesday after evading repeated questions about whether he had traveled to China this year, drawing sharp rebuke from at least one senator. Engineer Jaime Adalin, a Davao City assessor called to testify for the Vice President's legal team, declined to provide direct answers when questioned about his international movements, prompting the bench to caution him about the consequences of non-compliance. The exchange underscored growing friction during the proceedings, which have centered on allegations related to the Vice President's conduct and official responsibilities.

Adalin's testimony was presented in connection with specific allegations being examined in the trial, though details of his direct relevance to the charges remained unclear from the proceedings. His reluctance to answer straightforward questions about his travel history drew particular ire from Senator Erwin Tulfo, whose intervention led to the contempt warning. The incident reflects broader challenges facing the impeachment trial as it progresses through witness testimony and evidence presentation.

The Vice President's impeachment trial has proceeded through multiple sessions with competing narratives from the prosecution and defense. Duterte's legal team has mounted a vigorous defense strategy involving numerous witnesses, while prosecutors have presented their own evidence and testimony supporting the charges. The trial continues to draw significant public and political attention as it moves through its various phases.