Politics · Philippines Bureau
Duterte defense team withdraws subpoena for law professor witness
Vice President Sara Duterte's legal team has asked the impeachment court to cancel or recall its subpoena for law professor Dean Ralph Sarmiento. The withdrawal came through a manifestation filed Thursday as the impeachment trial proceeds.
LSN Philippines ·
MANILA – The defense panel representing Vice President Sara Duterte in her ongoing impeachment trial has moved to withdraw its subpoena request for law professor Dean Ralph Sarmiento, according to a manifestation submitted to the impeachment court on Thursday, November 5.
In the court filing, the respondent's legal counsel requested that the impeachment tribunal either cancel or recall the subpoena for Sarmiento, whose testimony had previously been sought as part of the defense strategy.
The withdrawal marks a tactical shift in the defense team's approach to the trial, which has drawn intense scrutiny since its inception. The specific reasons cited for withdrawing the witness request were not immediately detailed in available court documents.
The impeachment trial of Vice President Duterte continues to unfold amid broader political developments in the Philippines. The trial has seen multiple procedural motions and witness-related requests as both the prosecution and defense teams present their respective cases before the impeachment court.