Defense lead counsel Sheila Sison urged the impeachment court to give the defense more time to cross-examine Anti-Money Laundering Council (AMLC) Executive Director Ronel Buenaventura during Day 33 of Vice President Sara Duterte’s impeachment trial on Monday.
Sison argued that the defense should be given a “reasonable, prudent, and more fair” opportunity to examine the prosecution witness, noting that the prosecution had spent the entire day on direct examination.
“The prosecution took the entire day direct examining this witness, Your Honor! We have only examined this witness for an hour. We’re not asking for a long time!” Sison said.
She said the defense only began its cross-examination shortly after 5 p.m. and asked the court not to rush the proceedings.
“We’re not trying to delay this hearing... We cannot be rushed in cross-examining this witness, Your Honor,” she added.
Presiding Judge and Senate President Chiz Escudero subsequently called a brief recess to discuss the matter, as the impeachment court had yet to adjourn.
