LIVE UPDATES: Vice President Sara Duterte’s Impeachment Trial (Day 42)
Today is the 42nd day of the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte. The defense team will continue to present its witnesses before the Senate impeachment court.
10:26 a.m. – Balucanag-Punay says she has no personal or professional relationship with the Vice President.
10:25 a.m. – Senator-Judge Francis Pangilinan points out that Atty. Michael Poa, Defense Spokesperson, invoked lawyer-client privilege when he testified.
According to Escudero, part of his ruling presumes that Balucanag-Punay appeared with the proper authorization under her oath as a member of the Bar, that her appearance is duly authorized, and that the attorney-client privilege between her and the corporations has been waived.
The witness says she understands.
10:19 a.m. – Escudero says they will, in the meantime, allow Balucanag-Punay’s testimony on her oath as a lawyer.
10:15 a.m. – Senator-Judge and Presiding Officer Francis Escudero says the Court will make a ruling regarding the query on the Board Resolution at the appropriate time.
10:13 a.m. – Atty. Lorna Kapunan, counsel for the Panel of Prosecutors, asks if Balucanag-Punay is authorized by a Board Resolution of GenCorp and Metro City Chow to appear before the Impeachment Court and testify for both companies.
Kapunan says the Board Resolution is important because they do not want the witness to hide behind the attorney-client privilege.
According to Gular, Balucanag-Punay’s appearance is by virtue of the Impeachment Court’s subpoena. He says the concern of hiding behind the lawyer-client privilege is a premature objection.
10:08 a.m. – Atty. Justin Gular, counsel for the respondent, makes his Offer of Testimony.
One of the points the Defense wants to prove is that Vice President Sara Duterte is neither a stockholder, officer, or director of GenCorp.
The Defense also argues against the findings of the Prosecution’s forensic financial analyst Atty. Alexander Cabrera.
Photo courtesy: Senate
Photo courtesy: Senate
Photo courtesy: Senate
Photo courtesy: Senate10:04 a.m. – Atty. Suzette Balucanag-Punay, Corporate Counsel of GenCorp Industries, Inc. and Metro City Chow Foods Corporation, is called to the witness stand.
Photo courtesy: Senate10:01 a.m. – Quorum is declared with 13 Senator-Judges present.10 a.m. – Day 42 of the impeachment trial is called to order.