(Screengrab from Senate livestream)
MANILA – The Senate impeachment court on Tuesday gave Davao City Assessor Jaime Adalin until November 11 to submit property records involving Vice President Sara Duterte and her husband, lawyer Manases Carpio, warning that compulsory measures may be imposed if he fails to comply without a valid explanation.
Presiding Officer Francis “Chiz” Escudero issued the warning after confirming that Adalin, the defense’s first witness, had yet to provide documents requested by senator-judges during Monday’s hearing.
“We have not received such a report from Engineer Adalin,” Escudero said.
“Neither have we received a copy or name of the travel agency requested by Senator-Judge Raffy Tulfo,” he added.
The requested documents include a list of properties registered individually or jointly under Duterte and Carpio, as well as the name of the travel agency that arranged Adalin’s trips to China.
Escudero instructed the clerk of court to immediately follow up with Adalin and determine whether he could submit the documents by Wednesday or provide a sufficient explanation for the delay.
“If by tomorrow the same is not yet complied with, unless sufficient cause or reason is given, the court will be forced to issue compulsory process on the same,” Escudero warned.
Senator-Judge Risa Hontiveros reminded the court that Adalin had committed to submitting the property records following her request during Monday’s proceedings.
“I actually requested him and he committed to furnishing us those documents within yesterday,” Hontiveros said.
The property records are being sought to determine whether assets registered under Duterte and Carpio match those disclosed in the Vice President’s Statement of Assets, Liabilities and Net Worth (SALN).
Meanwhile, the request for travel agency information followed Adalin’s difficulty recalling details of his China trips during cross-examination, despite maintaining that the travel was personal and that he paid for his expenses.
Court warns witnesses against false testimony
Earlier in Tuesday’s hearing, Senator-Judge Vicente Sotto III raised concerns over possible sanctions against witnesses who provide false statements before the impeachment court.
“Is it not we have penalties and sanctions against those who lie before the impeachment court? Will you please refresh my memory on this matter so that the witnesses and the prosecution and the defense will be reminded as well?” Sotto asked.
Escudero explained that witnesses who give false testimony may face contempt proceedings before the impeachment court and possible perjury charges before the appropriate authorities.
He emphasized that testimony delivered under oath is covered by existing laws on perjury.
Senator-Judge Panfilo Lacson also reminded the court of its authority to impose contempt sanctions, citing Resolution No. 39 adopted on March 23, 2011.
Lacson criticized Adalin’s conduct during Monday’s hearing, saying the witness’s reactions and responses were inappropriate for impeachment proceedings.
“Yesterday was not a good day for the impeachment court, Mr. President, Mr. Presiding Officer, simply because we had a witness who smirked, who laughed, almost made a mockery of the impeachment trial,” Lacson said.
“And we don’t want to have a repeat of that kind of testimony,” he added.
Lacson stressed that the impeachment court’s power to cite individuals for contempt is explicitly provided under its rules.
The Senate impeachment court continues to hear the defense’s evidence on the remaining impeachment charge involving alleged unexplained wealth against Duterte.
