MANILA – Presiding Officer Senator Francis “Chiz” Escudero admonished House private prosecutor Atty. Erwin Matib following an objection from the defense over his remark about a “tax evader” during Day 37 of Vice President Sara Duterte’s impeachment trial on Friday, October 9.
The exchange occurred during Matib’s redirect examination of Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) Office of the Commissioner Chief of Staff Atty. Anne Loraine Garcia-Marquez.
Defense counsel Atty. Kristine Ferrer immediately objected to Matib’s statement, particularly his reference to a tax evader supposedly running for office.
“Objection, Your Honor, move to strike the comment ‘kung tumatakbo ‘yung tax evader.’ That’s irrelevant, Your Honor, and conclusion of fact,” Ferrer told the impeachment court.
Ferrer argued that the prosecutor’s remark was irrelevant to the questioning and constituted a conclusion of fact.
Escudero then intervened and questioned Matib about his use of the phrase.
“Atty. Erwin, ‘yun ba ‘yung running against tax evader, tumatakbo? Uhm, come on, Atty. Erwin. Move on, counsel,” Escudero said.
The presiding officer directed Matib to proceed with his examination rather than dwell on the disputed remark.
The exchange took place as the prosecution continued questioning Garcia-Marquez about BIR procedures and tax-related records involving Duterte and her husband, Atty. Manases Carpio.
The defense has repeatedly raised objections concerning the wording and interpretation of questions during the proceedings, particularly those involving tax regulations and allegations of fraud.
The impeachment court continued its examination of the BIR witness following the exchange.
