MANILA — House impeachment prosecutors said the second day of Vice President Sara Duterte’s Senate impeachment trial achieved its primary objective after evidence continued to be presented despite persistent objections from the defense.
Following Tuesday’s hearing, prosecution spokesperson Zia Alonto Adiong said the impeachment court’s rulings enabled prosecutors to move forward with presenting the factual basis of the complaint.
He said the proceedings gave the public a clearer view of the evidence that prosecutors intend to rely on as the trial progresses.
Public prosecutor Terry Ridon explained that legal victories are not determined by the number of objections ruled upon but by whether the court allows evidence to be formally introduced and witnesses to testify.
According to Ridon, the prosecution successfully advanced its case as scheduled, making the day’s proceedings a positive development.
He acknowledged that the defense’s numerous objections were part of standard courtroom practice and said every legal team is entitled to employ its preferred litigation strategy. Ultimately, however, he noted that the Senate impeachment court has the final authority to decide whether objections should be sustained or rejected.
Adiong also alleged that the defense sought to restrict the court’s consideration of the prosecution’s evidence through technical challenges.
Ridon added that the impeachment court permitted portions of the prosecution’s video evidence to be presented while ensuring that the defense would have a full opportunity to present its own evidence later in the proceedings.
He said the prosecution remains focused on establishing the relevance and credibility of its witnesses and documentary evidence as the impeachment trial moves forward.
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