‘Para tayong niloloko’: Tulfo warns Duterte defense witness over China trip questions

MANILA (UPDATE) — Sen. Erwin Tulfo on Monday warned that there could be consequences after the first witness presented by Vice President Sara Duterte’s defense appeared unable to recall a trip to China when questioned during the impeachment trial.

The Senate impeachment court resumed Duterte’s trial after a nearly month-long break, with her lawyers now presenting their own witnesses and evidence. The Vice President faces allegations of unexplained wealth, failure to fully disclose her assets, and failure to divest from business interests while in office.

During cross-examination, prosecution lawyer Benjamin Tolosa asked Davao City assessor Jaime Adalin whether he was among the local government officials who joined a trip to China in November 2025, sponsored by the Chinese consulate.

“I think that is irrelevant,” Adalin, a civil engineer and real estate appraiser, replied, drawing laughs and audible reactions from those inside the Senate court.

Presiding officer Sen. Francis Escudero also quipped, “Funny ka d’on, Engr. Jimmy,” referring to the witness by his nickname.

“Actually, hindi ko talaga ma-recall,” said Adalin said, who earlier confirmed that Duterte appointed him as Davao City assessor in 2017, when she was still the city’s mayor.

Sen. Vicente “Tito” Sotto III said the question was important in gauging the witness’ credibility. Tolosa earlier described Adalin as “evasive” in answering questions during cross-examination.

But Sen. Erwin Tulfo reminded the witness that he was under oath.

“Para ho tayong niloloko ng testigo na ‘to. Sir, may I remind you that you are under oath,” he told Adalin.

“‘Yong ginagawa ninyong kengkoy ang inyong testimoniya, bawal po yan, we can cite you for contempt. Just to remind you, we are serious here,” Tulfo said. “‘Yong pagsisinungaling, nasa kaniya ho ‘yon, may consequences ‘yon.”

After the proceedings broke for lunch, the senator-judges continued to press Adalin about his trip to China. The engineer confirmed that he and several local officials traveled to China in January, saying he was able to verify the trip by checking with his office during the lunch break.

But Adalin could not answer the specifics of the trip. Sen. Risa Hontiveros’ staff, however, was able to establish that Adalin traveled from Manila to Beijing and returned to Manila from Shanghai.

Adalin described the trip, which involved several local officials, as a “personal travel,” but said Davao City Mayor Sebastian Duterte was not part of the group.

He added that he would submit official travel documents to the court to provide accurate details of the trip.

Sen. Raffy Tulfo also questioned why Adalin could not determine whether the building housing Prime Bistro, which reportedly stands on a property owned by Duterte’s husband, Manases Carpio, in Davao City, was being used for commercial or residential purposes.

“Nakalagay na nga ‘yong Prime Bistro, commercial ‘yon and yet sabi niya commercial pero ginagamit [na] residential. He’s lying to his teeth, lumilitaw,” the senator said.

Adalin earlier declined to give a definitive answer on whether Prime Bistro, a photo of which was presented during cross-examination, was being used for commercial or residential purposes. He said the property’s classification depended on its “actual use after inspection.”

“There are times na commercial ang building pero ang gamit is residential,” he said.

The defense presented Adalin to establish that Duterte had declared in her Statement of Assets, Liabilities, and Net Worth (SALN) a property purchased by her husband in Davao City in 2024. An earlier prosecution witness testified that the property was not specifically listed in Duterte’s SALN, which also covers her husband’s assets.

In his testimony, however, Adalin maintained that the property Carpio purchased in Barangay Matina Crossing 74-A was the same one listed in Duterte’s SALN, citing Transfer Certificate of Title (TCT) No. 146-2024010775 and corresponding tax declarations.

“Yes, Your Honor, that is the same property,” Adalin said in response to a question posed by Escudero.

“It is based on the tax declaration that was presented a while ago,” said Adalin, who also presented maps to show the property’s location in Barangay Matina Crossing 74-A.

During cross-examination, however, Tolosa pointed out that Adalin could not definitively establish whether the properties listed in the SALNs were the same ones covered by the TCT, as their locations in the same barangay alone were insufficient to confirm this.

The SALNs only indicated the barangay where the properties were located, not their “exact coordinates,” Tolosa said.

Sen. Bam Aquino also asked whether Adalin had checked all properties owned by Duterte and her husband in the barangay. Adalin said he had not, explaining that he only inspected the lot specified in the subpoena and identified in the TCT.

Adalin later said he would provide a list of the couple’s properties in the barangay, as suggested by Aquino.