Impeachment court ends longest trial day after senator-judges cite witness, counsel’s health

MANILA — The Senate impeachment court on Monday recorded the longest trial day so far, spanning nine hours, and only adjourned after senator-judges cited the health of Anti-Money Laundering Council Executive Director Ronel Buenaventura — who took the witness stand — and the parties’ counsel. 

The prosecution presented Buenaventura as part of its presentation in the second article of impeachment, which accuses Vice President Sara Duterte of amassing unexplained wealth, committing Statement of Assets, Liabilities, and Net Worth violations, and failing to divest from business interests.

Before presiding officer Sen. Francis “Chiz” Escudero adjourned the trial, defense counsel Mark Vinluan requested time to organize his team’s notes.

Prosecution counsel Mae Divinagracia objected to the request, saying the defense had been given ample time to prepare. 

In response, Vinluan manifested that the prosecution was given six hours to direct-examine the witness, while the defense only so far had two hours to cross examine the witness. 

“We are just starting,” Vinluan said. 

This prompted Sen. Panfilo Lacson to check on Buenaventura, who, earlier in the trial, said he did not eat lunch out of nervousness in testifying. 

Sen. Francis Pangilinan also asked the witness: “I’d like to know if he can proceed with continuing with the cross-examination as well as the questions from the senator-judges, or would you like to likewise have a break?” 

“I can proceed, Your Honor,” Buenaventura responded. 

Earlier, Divinagracia also requested to sit during cross-examination due to backache. 

Vinluan meanwhile has requested two short breaks in between the nine-hour proceeding. 

The cross-examination will resume on Tuesday at 10 a.m.

The Monday trial is part of the two-week full-day marathon trial the Senate impeachment court has scheduled until Oct. 15, before it takes a break to give way for the budget deliberation.