Defense witness Davao City Assessor Jaime Adalin insisted Monday that he personally paid for his trips to China, Australia and other countries, as senator-judges questioned his inability to recall details of his travels during the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte.

Sen. Risa Hontiveros challenged Adalin's testimony after he confirmed traveling to China in January 2026 but could not remember the specific places he visited, the people who accompanied him or who organized the trip.

Asked whether he had visited Beijing and Shanghai, Adalin said he believed they had gone to those cities but could not recall with certainty.

“Hindi ko talaga maalala. Sorry po. I’m not keen on travelling kaya hindi ko na mine-memorize yung pinupuntahan,” Adalin told the impeachment court.

Hontiveros questioned how a city assessor and engineer could forget the destinations of an overseas trip to a large country, particularly when maps had been presented by both the prosecution and defense.

She also questioned how Adalin could travel to several countries and visit multiple destinations without remembering the details months later.

Adalin said the trip was a group agenda and that he was not the organizer. He recalled that Davao City's engineer and treasurer were among his companions but could no longer remember who arranged the travel.

He described the trip as personal rather than an official visit.

Asked whether he and his fellow city officials shouldered the expenses of their trips to China, Australia and other countries despite their government salaries, Adalin answered in the affirmative.

"Yes, Your Honor," he said.

"Okay, that's something for us to check," Hontiveros responded.

Earlier, Sen. Erwin Tulfo reminded Adalin that he was testifying under oath after the assessor repeatedly failed to give definite answers about his reported trip to China in November 2025.

Tulfo warned that lying under oath carries penalties and that the witness could be cited for contempt.

"Mr. Presiding Officer, parang tayo niloloko ng testigo na ito. Sir, may I remind you that you're under oath," Tulfo said.

He also cautioned Adalin against treating his testimony lightly.

Sen. Raffy Tulfo likewise reprimanded the assessor after he failed to recall a Nov. 12, 2018, trip to China despite being presented with flight details.

"You've heard me once. I'm not gonna repeat myself anymore. Mag-isip ka habang nagsasalita ako," Raffy Tulfo told Adalin after the witness again asked him to repeat the question.

Adalin, however, confirmed that he had traveled to China.

The questioning took place on the 40th day of Duterte's impeachment trial on Monday.