Prosecution links China trip to WPS dispute, witness credibility
Davao City Assessor Jaime Adalin, the defense’s first witness, testifies and answers questions during the 40th day of the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte at the Senate in Pasay City on Monday, November 9, 2026. Adalin presents property records and confirms that Barangay Matina Crossing and Barangay 74-A in Davao City refer to the same area, as the defense seeks to establish that a property listed in a Transfer Certificate of Title (TCT) was declared in Duterte’s Statement of Assets, Liabilities, and Net Worth (SALN). Maria Tan, ABS-CBN News MANILA — An alleged all-expenses-paid trip to China was brought up during the cross- examination of defense witness Davao City Assessor Jaime Adalin on Monday, which the prosecution said carries a bigger significance beyond the impeachment trial.
“Yes, may significance because of our situation in the West Philippine Sea,” Batangas 2nd District Rep. Gerville Luistro, House lead prosecutor, said in the post-trial briefing as she highlighted the maritime dispute between China and the Philippines.
Luistro also linked the issue to earlier testimony of a prosecution witness who alleged that remittances of P319 million were sent from China to Calle88, a company linked to Vice President Sara Duterte’s husband.
“May lalim siya sapagkat walang sapat na explanation yung inward remittances na ‘yun,” she added.
(There is substance there because there has been no explanation of those inward remittances.)
Private prosecutor Jay Tolosa, who raised the question about the trip, clarified that his primary intention was to test the witness’s credibility.
“I didn’t want to ask it anymore but I have to because he seemed to be evasive,” he said.
Tolosa also pointed out that the witness initially said he could not remember the trip but later confirmed the travel dates following questions from the senator-judges.
“Kung ano ang effect niya sa credibility (How that affects his credibility), it’s up to the senator judges,” he explained.
House trial adviser Ace Barbers described the witness’s responses as “selective amnesia,” after Adalin eventually said the trip was paid for using his personal funds.
“Palagay ko hindi normal para isa isang tao na makakalimutan yung mga ganyang klaseng experience ng traveling, especially kung ikaw ang gumastos,” he said.
(I do not think it is normal to forget the details of that sort of travel experience, especially if you paid for it yourself.)
Barbers also expressed hope that the defense’s next witnesses would be more forthcoming in answering questions than Adalin.
He said that if future witnesses for the defense are like Adalin, he is confident that the prosecution’s case will stand.
The defense is set to present its next witnesses on Tuesday: The city assessor of the Island Garden City of Samal and a barangay chairman.