Former justice denies her VP impeachment testimony was conditional

Former Sandiganbayan Presiding Justice Amparo Cabotaje-Tang firmly denied during cross-examination that her appearance before the impeachment court was contingent on any quid pro quo arrangement. The assertion came as legal counsel for Vice President Sara Duterte pressed her on whether she had received promises of benefits in return for her testimony. Cabotaje-Tang's statement underscored her insistence that she was appearing solely as a witness to provide factual accounts relevant to the proceedings. The exchange marked a significant moment in the trial, now in its 24th day, as the defense sought to challenge the credibility of witnesses presented by the prosecution. The former jurist's testimony has been closely watched given her former position on the Philippines' anti-graft court and her purported knowledge of matters central to the impeachment case against the Vice President.