Vice President Sara Duterte’s defense team Spokesperson Atty. Michael Poa said on Tuesday that they are ready for the disclosure of Duterte and her husband, Atty. Manases Carpio’s bank records when the impeachment court tackles Article II, concerning her alleged unexplained wealth.
Poa said they are not “scared” of what these documents may reveal, although they were opposed to the subpoena for the documents as they believe confidentiality laws in place, such as the bank secrecy law, must be adhered to for the protection of all.
“‘Di naman kami takot sa dokumento, kung lumabas man ‘yung lahat nang ‘yan, handa din naman kaming harapin bawat isa sa mga dokumento na iyan,” he said.
“Kaya lang kami nag-oppose ay dahil we really believe na itong subpoena ay over-broad at may mga batas na maaapektuhan that are there, not only meant to protect the vice president or impeachable officers, but all of us,” he explained.
Later, he asserted that the legal system operates on a presumption of innocence and disputed the legitimacy of the argument that, if one has nothing to hide, they must be open to disclosure. This is, he emphasized, the reason the country observes certain legal processes.
“Ang posisyon lang talaga namin, una sa lahat, ang legal system natin may presumption of innocence. Para sa amin, hindi naman tama ‘yung sasabihin na ‘Kung wala ka namang itatago, ilabas mo na.’ Kasi kung gano’n, huwag na tayo mag-search warrant, huwag na tayo magkaroon ng mga proseso, ‘di ba? Kasi kung gano’n, hahamunin ka lang na ilabas mo, dapat ilabas mo,” he told the press.
However, Poa made it clear that the defense respects the senator-judges’ decision and “earnestly” believes that they listened to the defense’s side, giving them the opportunity to clarify the reasons behind their stance.
“‘Yun ‘yung pinaglalaban namin, e, rule of law. So kung kami mismo, hindi susunod sa rules, hindi naman magandang ehemplo ‘yun,” he said.
“‘Di ko masasabing useless ‘yung naging exercise because at least we were still able to ventilate through oral arguments the position of the defense and the basis on why we held on to that position,” he earlier stated.
Tuesday marks the final day of the prosecution’s presentation of Article IV – threats. National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) Director Atty. Melvin Matibag will be the last witness to testify regarding Duterte’s alleged threats against the lives of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., First Lady Louise Araneta-Marcos, and former House Speaker Martin Romualdez.
