Defense counsel Mark Vinluan apologized Tuesday during the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte after a senator-judge criticized his manner of cross-examining Anti-Money Laundering Council (AMLC) Executive Director Ronel Buenaventura.

Vinluan said the defense's intention during cross-examination was to test the credibility of the witness by confronting him with documents and relevant provisions of the law.

“Our intention in cross-examination is to test the credibility of the witness, among others. And part of testing that credibility is to confront him not just with documents but with salient provisions of the law,” Vinluan said.

He said the defense was seeking to determine whether Buenaventura's interpretation and application of the law was correct.

Vinluan also denied that the defense intended to intimidate anyone during the proceedings.

“It is never our intention to cause intimidation, especially to the members of this honorable impeachment court,” he said.

Senator-Judge Raffy Tulfo on Monday had called out Vinluan's questioning of Buenaventura on Monday, saying his manner of cross-examination appeared intimidating.

Vinluan apologized if his questioning had conveyed a different message and vowed to be more careful in his succeeding questions.

“If in any way a different message was indirectly conveyed, I personally apologize and commit to be more circumspect moving forward,” he said.