Presiding Officer Chiz Escudero excused Marivic Pareja, head of the House’s legislative information bureau, from testifying during the 16th day of Vice President Sara Duterte’s impeachment trial after the defense team stipulated to the documents presented by the prosecution.
“I don’t believe there is a need to present this witness before the court,” Escudero said.
“Without prejudice to proof being presented by counsel for respondent that these are not faithful reproductions of the original file, then we can presume regularity. Correct, counsel?” he added.
“We are amenable to that proposition,” defense counsel Atty. Lindon Bacquel responded.
The prosecution had presented Pareja as a witness in connection with Article I of the impeachment complaint, which involves the alleged misuse of ₱612.5 million in confidential funds of the Office of the Vice President and the Department of Education.
Pareja serves as director of the House Legislative Information Resources Management Department. Her testimony was ultimately deemed unnecessary after the defense agreed to stipulate to the documents presented by the prosecution.
