Duterte declared hostile witness in impeachment proceedings

Presiding Officer Francis Escudero granted the prosecution team's motion to classify Davao City Mayor Sebastian "Baste" Duterte as a hostile witness during impeachment hearings. The designation clears the way for prosecutors to pose leading questions to the witness, a procedural tool typically employed when examining witnesses deemed unlikely to provide cooperative testimony.

Duterte took the oath as an impeachment witness before the Senate, formally commencing his testimony in the high-profile case. The hostile witness classification represents a significant procedural development in the proceedings, expanding the prosecution's questioning latitude during examination.

The Senate's decision to grant hostile witness status underscores the contested nature of Duterte's anticipated testimony. Under Philippine impeachment rules, the designation permits prosecutors greater flexibility in framing questions and challenging responses, a departure from standard witness examination protocols.

The proceedings continue as the Senate navigates the complex legal and political dimensions of the impeachment case. Duterte's appearance marks a notable moment in the trial, bringing a prominent provincial official directly into the impeachment testimony record.