Politics · Philippines Bureau
Marcos SALN presented in Duterte trial to test witness argument
Defense counsel Michael Poa clarified Monday that the presentation of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.'s Statement of Assets, Liabilities and Net Worth during Vice President Sara Duterte's impeachment trial was intended to examine prosecution testimony on divestment issues, not to launch a political attack on the chief executive.
LSN Philippines ·
MANILA, Philippines — President Marcos Jr.'s financial disclosure document was introduced during the impeachment proceedings against Vice President Duterte solely to challenge the prosecution's legal arguments regarding asset divestment, according to the defense team's explanation.
Michael Poa, representing the defense, stated that the presentation of the SALN was a tactical move to test the validity of claims made by the prosecution's witness on matters related to divestment procedures and requirements.
"I don't want to make it [a political attack]," Poa said during Monday's proceedings, emphasizing that the document's inclusion was strictly evidentiary in nature.
The clarification addresses concerns that the introduction of the president's financial records could be perceived as an attempt to deflect focus from the impeachment case against the vice president or to inject partisan politics into the proceedings.
The impeachment trial has centered on allegations against Vice President Duterte, with both prosecution and defense presenting evidence to support their respective positions throughout the legal proceedings.