The defense team questioned the accuracy of an artificial intelligence (AI)-generated image used by the prosecution to illustrate what ₱125 million in cash could look like during Vice President Sara Duterte’s impeachment trial on Monday.
Speaking at a press conference after the trial, defense spokesperson Michael Poa said the panel understood why the prosecution used generative AI to provide a visual representation of the amount, but stressed that the accuracy of such images could not be verified.
“We had to object to that because we had to ask at least for the proper basis kung bakit Al 'yung ginagamit... We just had to really register our objection, kasi syempre, alam naman natin 'yung Al sometimes does not really depict 'yung totoong itsura ng mga bagay-bagay,” Poa said.
“I would like to at least try to understand the side of the prosecution kasi siyempre siguro they just wanted to show some graphics to give a picture kung ano ba yung punto na gusto nilang... Ipasok doon sa kanilang pagtatanong... Perhaps that's the reason why they used yung ganong Al. But, again, all we had to do was to object to that,“ he added.
Poa continued, “All we could do was object to that kasi nga baka hindi accurate. And usually, hindi nagiging accurate talaga pag AI sa ngayon.”
Despite the objection, Poa said the defense recognized the prosecution’s intention to use the image to help explain its argument not only to those in the courtroom but also to the public.
Poa said the defense was concerned that the image could be "exaggerated" or may not accurately represent what ₱125 million in cash would actually look like.
“I have not seen ₱125 million in person. So 'yun lang talaga yung concern natin o yung pagdating sa accurate depiction... I think yung main concern lang talaga namin is kung accurate 'yung nakikita kasi baka exaggerated yung nakikita o kahit hindi exaggerated,” Poa said.
He acknowledged, however, that the prosecution may have used the AI-generated image to help senators and the public understand the point it was trying to establish during its questioning.
Poa said the defense objected because the prosecution had to provide a proper basis for using AI-generated material, while Presiding Officer Senator Francis “Chiz” Escudero noted the objection and allowed the proceedings to continue.
For now, Poa said the defense had no immediate plans to file a separate motion seeking to prohibit the use of AI-generated images in succeeding hearings.
“We haven’t really spoken about it after this, so I don’t want to foreclose any possibility,” Poa said.
He added that the defense’s continuing objection had already been noted by the impeachment court, which he said was sufficient for the time being.
