Presiding Officer Chiz Escudero reminded Philippine Government Electronic Procurement System (PhilGEPS) Division Chief Rendell Sopeña to seek the court’s permission before referring to any document during Day 28 of Vice President Sara Duterte’s impeachment trial on Tuesday.
The reminder came after defense lawyer Roberto Batungbacal noticed Sopeña referring to a piece of paper during his testimony.
“We just noticed that the witness has notes. May we just find out what those notes are, Your Honor?” Batungbacal said.
Escudero then asked Sopeña whether he was referring to notes, but the witness replied, “No, Your Honor.”
When Escudero asked what the piece of paper was, Sopeña explained that it was “just a copy of the documents.”
Asked whether the documents were related to his preceding answer, Sopeña clarified, “Not in relation to what I just replied po, Your Honor.”
Escudero then reminded the witness to ask permission from the court before referring to any document.
“Before you refer to a document, kindly ask the permission of the court,” Escudero said.
Sopeña apologized and continued with his testimony.
