Duterte defense withdraws subpoena request for ex-law dean Sarmiento

MANILA — The defense team of Vice President Sara Duterte has formally withdrawn its request for the Senate impeachment court to issue a subpoena for former law school Dean Ralph Sarmiento. 

The defense, in a manifestation submitted to the court on November 5, said it respected the decision of Sarmiento, who declined to be a witness. 

“The defense will no longer present him as a witness,” read the manifestation. “A subpoena for him is therefore no longer needed.” 

Sarmiento, in a social media post on Thursday, declined to be a witness for the defense, saying he wanted to maintain his independence as a constitutional law professor and legal analyst. 

Defense counsel and spokesperson Michael Poa said that they respect Sarmiento’s decision and appreciate his initial consideration of their invitation. 

The defense mentioned in its manifestation that it would proceed with the presentation of the respondent’s witnesses from November 9 to 13. 

There are 24 other witnesses who have been named, including the corporate counsel of GenCorp Industries Incorporated and Metro City Chow Foods Corporation, companies identified as business interests of the Vice President in her Statement of Assets, Liabilities and Net Worth (SALN). 

The defense also wants to subpoena certain employees of Davao City, the Island Garden City of Samal, and various banks.