House impeachment trial spokesperson and Lanao del Sur Rep. Zia Alonto Adiong has raised questions over the defense strategy in the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Z. Duterte, particularly its reliance on witnesses identified as hostile.
According to Adiong, the approach prompts scrutiny on whether the defense has sufficient independent evidence and witnesses to directly rebut the allegations against the Vice President.
He noted that several individuals listed by the defense also appear on the House prosecution’s witness list, and the defense indicated it intends to treat them as hostile witnesses at trial.
“Kung meron sana silang substantive, contravening, controverting evidence to at least, you know, belie, for example, just to use a more common term, to belie the accusation on the charges against her, ay magpre-present din sila ng sarili nilang witnesses,” Adiong said in an interview.
He emphasized that while it is a standard legal practice to challenge the credibility of opposing witnesses, parties typically also present their own witnesses and evidence to support their version of events.
“Kung mahina ‘yung ipre-present na witnesses, as an opposing camp, mas gusto mo na apart from declaring you as a hostile, there will be also other witnesses that you will provide to counter the testimony of this witness,” he said.
Adiong clarified that the defense remains free to adopt its own litigation strategy and acknowledged the legal team representing Duterte.
He added, however, that the overlap in witness lists may reflect the specific and narrowly defined nature of the allegations contained in the Articles of Impeachment.
He said the complaint centers on distinct issues involving confidential funds, Statements of Assets, Liabilities and Net Worth (SALNs), and other particular acts attributed to Duterte.
“Ito kasi talagang punto by punto. Parang ‘yung Articles of Impeachment, SALN, confidential funds. May mukha na ‘yung artikulo bawat isa. Hindi siya ‘yung mga generic lang na mga allegations. Ito talaga diretso doon sa punto,” he explained.
Because of the specificity of the charges, Adiong said it is expected that both the prosecution and defense may identify some of the same individuals as potential witnesses in the case.