Duterte impeachment trial stalls over translation dispute of assets term

MANILA — The impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte hit a procedural snag Tuesday when legal teams sparred over the translation and interpretation of the Tagalog word "yaman" as it appears in her statement of assets, liabilities and net worth, or SALN document.

Private prosecutor James Bryan Ibrahim Alih raised the terminology issue during his direct examination, prompting pushback from the defense team over how the word should be understood in the context of the vice president's financial disclosure. The disagreement underscores the challenges of conducting high-stakes legal proceedings conducted partly in the Philippines' native languages.

The SALN, a mandatory financial declaration required of government officials, has become a focal point in the impeachment case against Duterte. Prosecutors are scrutinizing the completeness and accuracy of her asset declarations as part of their case.

The trial, being conducted before the Senate sitting as an impeachment court, continues as both sides present evidence and testimony. The translation dispute reflects broader tensions between the prosecution and defense over how evidence is presented and interpreted during the proceedings.