The defense team of Vice President Sara Duterte expressed satisfaction with the outcome of the third day of her impeachment trial, saying they were able to accomplish the objectives they set for their cross-examination of the prosecution witness.

Defense counsel spokesperson Atty. Michael Poa said the team was pleased with their performance, particularly highlighting the efforts of fellow counsel Atty. CJ Narvasa during the proceedings.

“We're very happy with our performance today. Also, I'd like to of course thank my co-counsel, Atty. CJ Narvasa, who we feel did a really good job sa kanyang cross-examination. We had targets for today and we can confidently say that we were able to achieve those targets,” Poa said.

Poa said their cross-examination aimed to raise questions regarding the extent of the investigation conducted, the context of certain portions of the video presented as evidence, and the process involved in the digital examination of the material.

“Marami kaming gustong lumabas. For example, yung extent of the investigation na ginawa. At yung ibang parts ng video that we can context, for example. And then also yung nature ng aking digital investigation, kung saan ba talaga yun, kung may isa pang mga una, etc.,” he explained.

However, Poa declined to discuss the specific legal implications of their arguments, saying the defense would focus on factual matters while the trial is ongoing.

The defense team’s remarks came after the Senate impeachment court concluded the third day of proceedings, where questions were raised over the handling and verification of the video allegedly showing Vice President Duterte making threats against President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.