Politics · Philippines Bureau
Duterte impeachment trial halted over document confidentiality dispute
Vice President Sara Duterte's impeachment trial was suspended Thursday after her legal team raised concerns about the confidentiality status of documents presented by a prosecution witness. The adjournment delayed testimony from the Anti-Money Laundering Council executive director in connection with allegations against the Vice President.
LSN Philippines ·
The impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte was cut short Thursday following objections lodged by her defense counsel regarding documentation submitted as evidence by the prosecution.
Atty. Ronel Buenaventura, executive director of the Anti-Money Laundering Council (AMLC), was scheduled to provide testimony for the prosecution on Thursday. However, the proceedings were suspended before his scheduled appearance after Duterte's legal team raised issues concerning the classification and handling of the submitted materials.
The defense team argued that documents presented in connection with allegations against the Vice President carried confidentiality designations that required clarification before they could be properly presented in court proceedings. The specific nature of these concerns prompted the court to adjourn the session.
The timing of the adjournment represents another procedural development in the ongoing impeachment case against Duterte, which centers on various allegations. No immediate date was announced for the resumption of proceedings at the time of the suspension.
The case continues to draw significant attention as the Senate, functioning as the impeachment tribunal, works through the evidentiary phase of the trial.