Politics · Philippines Bureau
Duterte impeachment trial: Prosecution, defense spar over bank records
The opposing camps in Vice President Sara Duterte's impeachment case have clashed over whether her bank records should be admitted as evidence during the ongoing trial at the House of Representatives.
LSN Philippines ·
MANILA — Tensions flared anew between the House prosecution panel and the vice president's legal team on Monday as they debated the admissibility of Duterte's bank records in her impeachment trial. During the 30th day of proceedings, prosecution panel member Chel Diokno disclosed that the team had submitted a formal request for admission of the financial documents the previous week.
The dispute centers on whether the banking records are relevant and material to the impeachment charges against Duterte. The prosecution argues the documents are necessary to substantiate their case, while the defense has raised objections to their inclusion as evidence.
The vice president faces impeachment proceedings that have drawn significant public attention and political scrutiny. The trial has extended over several weeks, with both sides presenting arguments on matters ranging from documentary evidence to witness testimony.
No immediate ruling was announced regarding the prosecution's request. The competing legal motions underscore the adversarial nature of the high-profile case, which continues to unfold before lawmakers sitting in judgment of the nation's second-highest official.