The Senate impeachment court will continue deliberations on Article I of the Articles of Impeachment, which centers on the alleged misuse and misappropriation of confidential funds by Vice President Sara Duterte.
The defense team is set to cross-examine OVP Assistant Chief of Staff Lemuel Ortonio. The prosecution is then expected to conduct its re-direct examination, followed by clarificatory questions from the senator-judges.
Presiding Officer Francis “Chiz” Escudero is also expected to issue a ruling or order concerning statements made by the parties on social media.
Trial begins
The 19th day of Vice President Sara Duterte’s impeachment trial begins on Wednesday, August 26.
The Senate resumes proceedings as the impeachment court continues its deliberations.
A total of 17 senators serving as senator-judges are present for the hearing.
Ligutan clarifies Facebook post on ‘misleading questions’
House private prosecutor Atty. Amando Ligutan clarifies his Facebook post about “misleading questions” raised during impeachment trial.
Ligutan says the post is not personal and is not directed at the defense team.
He explains that the post refers to legal rules and cross-examination procedures observed during the trial.
Escudero defends Ferrer over ‘misleading questions’ issue
Senator-judge Chiz Escudero defends Atty. Kristine Ferrer over the “misleading questions” issue.
Escudero says Ferrer may have been referring to “leading questions” instead of “misleading questions.”
He adds that the Senate will review the video to clarify what was said amid overlapping voices.
Escudero reminds senator-judges to uphold impartiality
Presiding Officer Chiz Escudero reminds senator-judges to maintain decorum and impartiality as Vice President Sara Duterte’s impeachment trial continues.
The reminder comes after comments from some participants in the impeachment court became a point of discussion during the proceedings.
Escudero emphasizes the need to preserve the impartiality of the court throughout the trial.
Escudero imposes ‘two-strike rule’ over public comments
Presiding Officer Chiz Escudero imposes a “two-strike rule” on members of the Senate Impeachment Court, defense, and prosecution for violating Rule 18 on public comments that may affect the merits of the case.
A first violation carries a severe reprimand and stern admonition, while a second violation may result in a fine of up to ₱30,000 per offense.
Lawyers may also face referral to the Integrated Bar of the Philippines or the Supreme Court for possible disciplinary sanctions.
Ferrer begins cross-examination of OVP official
Defense counsel Atty. Kristine Ferrer begins her cross-examination of OVP Assistant Chief of Staff Lemuel Ortonio.
Ortonio is currently facing questions from the defense as the Senate impeachment court resumes proceedings.
Escudero allows cross-examination to continue despite prosecution objection
Presiding Officer Chiz Escudero treated House private prosecutor Atty. Mae Divinagracia’s objection as a continuing objection during the cross-examination of OVP Assistant Chief of Staff Lemuel Ortonio.
The objection was raised over defense counsel Atty. Kristine Ferrer’s question regarding the Commission on Audit’s notice of disallowance involving the OVP’s confidential funds.
Escudero allowed Ferrer to proceed with the cross-examination while keeping the prosecution’s objection on the record.
Sotto questions Lachica’s employment status at OVP
Senator-judge Tito Sotto III questioned the employment status of Col. Dante Lachica at the Office of the Vice President during the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte.
OVP Assistant Chief of Staff Lemuel Ortonio clarified that Lachica is not an OVP employee and was instead assigned by the Armed Forces of the Philippines as group commander of the Vice Presidential Security and Protection Group.
Ortonio said Lachica therefore has no employment status within the OVP.
Tulfo questions origin of aliases in OVP intelligence reports
Senator-judge Erwin Tulfo questioned OVP Assistant Chief of Staff Lemuel Ortonio about the origin of aliases used in intelligence reports, including “Chippy McDonald,” “Pusa,” “Aso,” and “Pagong.”
Tulfo asked who created the aliases and where they came from during the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte.
Ortonio said he could not determine whether the aliases were invented and declined to provide further information about the reports.
Pangilinan questions ₱122-million informant reward process
Senator-judge Kiko Pangilinan questioned OVP Assistant Chief of Staff Lemuel Ortonio on whether the use of ₱122 million as rewards for informants in connection with alleged drug purchases could be considered a usual practice.
Pangilinan raised the question in light of Ortonio’s educational background and professional experience during the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte.
Ortonio said that, based on his understanding of the Joint Memorandum Circular, he considers the process to be lawful.
Tulfo questions Ortonio’s scrutiny of medicine purchases
Senator-judge Raffy Tulfo questioned OVP Assistant Chief of Staff Lemuel Ortonio over his failure to scrutinize documents related to the alleged purchase of medicines using confidential funds.
Tulfo questioned why Ortonio did not ask for details such as the medicines purchased, prescriptions, and receipts, stressing that these documents are necessary for proper auditing of public funds.
Ortonio said he did not inquire into the specifics but consulted the security officer about how the funds were released and implemented on the ground.
Prosecution checks on Boransing’s presence
House lead prosecutor Gerville Luistro asks Presiding Officer Chiz Escudero to clarify whether Col. Manaros Boransing II is already at the Senate.
Escudero says Boransing has not yet arrived and that the prosecution will be informed of the circumstances before proceedings resume at 1 p.m.
The prosecution is expected to present Boransing after the re-cross-examination of OVP Assistant Chief of Staff Lemuel Ortonio.
Padilla questions use of aliases in confidential funds
Senator-judge Robin Padilla asks hostile witness Lemuel Ortonio whether using aliases for recipients is appropriate when dealing with confidential funds.
Ortonio says he cannot properly answer because he is not familiar with the on-the-ground implementation of confidential activities.
Several aliases, including “Antonio Pagong,” “Timon Andrew Pusa,” and “Xuniso Belat,” have been presented during the proceedings.
Lacson questions repeated OVP targets for confidential funds
Senator-judge Panfilo “Ping” Lacson questions the Office of the Vice President over the repeated descriptions in its 2022 and 2023 Physical and Financial Plans for confidential and intelligence funds.
He raises concerns over the lack of changes in the listed physical targets and activities.
Lacson says the repeated entries raise questions as senators examine the use and documentation of the confidential funds.
Bam Aquino says Ninoy had an alias but didn’t have confidential funds
Senator-judge Bam Aquino lightens the mood during the impeachment trial by referencing the late senator Benigno “Ninoy” Aquino Jr. amid a discussion on the use of aliases.
Aquino confirms that Ninoy used an alias but adds that his late uncle did not have confidential funds.
His remark comes after Senator-judge Robin Padilla discussed the historical use of aliases while addressing private prosecutor Mae Divinagracia.
Ortonio takes offense at Tulfo’s remarks
OVP Assistant Chief of Staff Lemuel Ortonio takes offense at Senator Raffy Tulfo’s remarks questioning his education and accusing him of “playing dumb” during the 19th day of Vice President Sara Duterte’s impeachment trial.
Ortonio says he was merely performing his duties as an employee and working within the limitations of his role.
The exchange follows Tulfo’s questioning on why the OVP did not seek free medicines from the Department of Health instead of using confidential funds.
Divinagracia calls alias issue a ‘non-issue’
Private prosecutor Mae Divinagracia says the use and necessity of aliases are not central to the impeachment proceedings against Vice President Sara Duterte.
Senator-judge Robin Padilla disagrees, saying the issue cannot simply be dismissed as a “non-issue” because the prosecution raised concerns over names appearing in the OVP’s confidential fund acknowledgment receipts.
Padilla also cites historical Filipino figures who used aliases, comparing them with the names presented in the impeachment trial.
Escudero questions Lachica’s role in confidential fund spending
Presiding Officer Chiz Escudero questions OVP Assistant Chief of Staff Lemuel Ortonio on why Col. Raymund Lachica received and spent confidential funds if his role was mainly to “perform” and “coordinate” activities.
Ortonio explains that implementing the funds involved conducting activities on the ground and coordinating with informants or agents.
He maintains that, based on his understanding, Lachica served as the “end-user” of the confidential funds disbursed by former OVP special disbursing officer Gina Acosta.
Escudero reminds Duterte to observe impeachment court rules
Presiding Officer Chiz Escudero instructs defense lead counsel Sheila Sison to remind Vice President Sara Duterte to observe Rule 18 of the impeachment court regarding public comments on the case.
The reminder comes after the prosecution noted that Duterte issued a public statement while Escudero was reading his ruling on the sub judice rule.
Escudero says Duterte should comply with the presiding officer’s ruling and the rules governing comments on the merits of the impeachment case.
Trial adjourns
The 19th day of Vice President Sara Duterte’s impeachment trial formally adjourns on Wednesday, August 26.
The Senate impeachment court will resume proceedings on Tuesday, September 1.
