The Senate impeachment court granted on Tuesday the House prosecution panel’s request to have a conference with subpoenaed representatives from banks and insurance companies in connection with the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte.
During the Day 34 of the proceedings, House prosecutor and Bicol Saro Partylist Rep. Terry Ridon asked the court to allow the prosecution to confer with the subpoenaed representatives "to obtain preliminary information relating to their identities, their type of work, among related matters."
The defense did not oppose the conference but requested that it be conducted under the supervision of the court.
Presiding Officer and Senator-Judge Francis "Chiz" Escudero granted the request and directed the Clerk of Court to assign a representative to oversee the conference.
Escudero said the conference may proceed while the defense continues its cross-examination of Anti-Money Laundering Council Secretariat Executive Director Ronel Buenaventura.
The subpoenaed financial institutions include Land Bank of the Philippines, Asia United Bank, Philippine Savings Bank, Metropolitan Bank & Trust Company, Bank of the Philippine Islands, Philippine National Bank, Banco de Oro, and Security Bank.
Meanwhile, the subpoenaed insurance and financial companies include Prudential Life, Allianz, Manulife, FWD Life Insurance, BPI AIA, BDO Securities, and BDO Life.
The conference is expected to provide the prosecution with preliminary information from the subpoenaed representatives before their possible participation in the ongoing impeachment proceedings.
