Senate impeachment court Presiding Officer Chiz Escudero appealed for patience and understanding from fellow senator-judges and the public as three lawyers take center stage during the 21st day of Vice President Sara Duterte’s impeachment trial on Wednesday.

Escudero made the remark as House private prosecutor Atty. Benjamin Tolosa Jr. questioned Atty. Michael Poa, a defense counsel who was declared a hostile witness and is testifying on issues surrounding the alleged misuse of confidential funds.

“Para sa kaalaman din po ng kapwa ko senator-judges at mga sumusubaybay, mahirap na nga po na may dalawang abogado nagkakaroon ng tagisan ng talino, gawin pa nating tatlo. Kaya pag-unawa lang po at pasensya ang hinihiling namin,” Escudero said.

The three lawyers involved in the proceedings are Tolosa, who represents the prosecution panel; Atty. Sheila Sison, who is leading the defense during the questioning; and Poa, who is currently serving as a witness for the prosecution despite being part of Duterte’s defense team.

Escudero noted that the intense exchanges among the lawyers are part of the impeachment trial process, as both sides are given the opportunity to present and challenge evidence and testimony before the Senate sitting as an impeachment court.

The proceedings are focused on Article I of the impeachment complaint, which covers allegations involving ₱112.5 million in confidential funds allocated to the Department of Education during Duterte’s tenure as education secretary.