Senator-Judge Imee Marcos on Monday questioned why the subpoena for former Sandiganbayan Presiding Justice Amparo Cabotaje-Tang was addressed to the office of Akbayan Party-list Representative Chel Diokno during Day 24 of Vice President Sara Duterte’s impeachment trial.
Marcos asked Diokno to explain the arrangement, noting that the prosecution had described Tang as a disinterested witness even though the subpoena was served through his office at the House of Representatives.
Diokno said the subpoena was routed through his office to protect Tang’s personal and sensitive information, citing possible security concerns and online harassment.
“The reason why the subpoena was directed through this representation was for the protection of the honorable justice,” Diokno said. “There are also security issues involved. And that is the only reason why it was served through me. Ginagawa rin po namin ‘yun even in ordinary cases simply for purposes of security and protection.”
Marcos, however, questioned the explanation, saying there appeared to be no known threat against Tang, particularly since the retired justice was expected to provide only a legal opinion.
Earlier, Marcos also questioned the need for Tang’s testimony, asking whether she would testify on facts or identify specific documents.
Diokno clarified that Tang would not testify about the factual matters or documents to be presented by the prosecution. Instead, he said she was being presented to provide the impeachment court and the Filipino people with a legal framework concerning the alleged unexplained wealth issue under Article II.
“She will not be speaking about any of the facts or documents that will be presented, she’s merely being presented to provide a legal framework to the court and to the Filipino people from whom the funds in question emanate,” Diokno said.
