Lawyer Anel Antero on Thursday took the witness stand as the fifth defense witness in the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte before the Senate impeachment court.

Antero formally took his oath and appeared before the court on the 43rd day of the trial, with defense counsel Lindon Bacquel beginning his direct examination.

According to the defense's offer of testimony, Antero is expected to testify that he was in Japan on May 19, 2023, with Manases R. Carpio, Duterte's husband.

His testimony also seeks to establish the circumstances surrounding a credit card charge amounting to ₱205,007.09 at Ginza Inakaya in Tokyo, Japan.

The defense said Antero's testimony aims to disprove material allegations under Article II of the Articles of Impeachment, which accuses Duterte of culpable violation of the Constitution and betrayal of public trust.

The witness is also expected to address other matters related to these allegations.