A lighthearted exchange occurred during the ninth day of Vice President Sara Duterte’s impeachment trial on Wednesday, July 22, after National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) Director Melvin Matibag jokingly used a courtroom phrase commonly heard during hearings.

The moment happened during the cross-examination by the defense team when Atty. Mark Vinluan questioned Matibag about why the NBI included the affidavit of self-proclaimed Davao Death Squad member Arturo Lascañas in its assessment despite not issuing him a subpoena.

Matibag explained that the NBI was unable to locate Lascañas, preventing the agency from serving a subpoena. However, he said the affidavit still underwent verification as part of the bureau’s assessment.

After Vinluan continued with his line of questioning, Matibag responded, “Asked and answered po, Your Honor,” referring to a legal objection usually raised when a question has already been addressed.

Presiding Officer Sen. Francis “Chiz” Escudero then reminded Matibag to avoid making rulings on behalf of the impeachment court.

“The Presiding Officer would like to remind the witness to kindly avoid making a ruling for and behalf of the Presiding Officer. But the gentleman would have been correct. The Presiding Officer would have said the same thing. Thank you for saving me the trouble. But try to avoid that, Director Matibag,” Escudero said.

“Pasensya na po, Your Honor,” Matibag replied.

The exchange drew a brief light moment in the proceedings amid the continued questioning of Matibag, who is the prosecution’s final witness for Article IV of the impeachment complaint involving alleged grave threats against President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr.

The affidavit of Lascañas was also discussed in relation to claims that Vice President Duterte allegedly helped initiate Oplan Tokhang in Davao City during her term as mayor.