House prosecution spokesperson Atty. Lorna Kapunan criticized the defense's line of questioning during the cross-examination of a Commission on Audit (COA) witness on the 15th day of Vice President Sara Duterte's impeachment trial, describing it as "an absolute waste of time" for the impeachment court.
The exchange occurred as defense counsel Atty. Kristine Ferrer questioned COA Intelligence and Confidential Funds Audit Office Supervising Auditor Xylene May del Campo regarding matters previously discussed by former COA auditor Roderick Wamil, who had earlier testified before the impeachment court.
Kapunan objected, arguing that Ferrer was attempting to elicit testimony from Del Campo about statements made by another witness instead of focusing on Del Campo's own knowledge and findings.
"There is only one witness here, Your Honor. They are not two. Atty. Wamil is not here. They had the opportunity to ask these questions from Atty. Wamil. To ask these questions from this witness about what Atty. Wamil said, Your Honor, I'll say it anyway, it's an absolute waste of time of this honorable court, Your Honor," Kapunan said.
She further criticized questions that would require Del Campo to confirm or comment on Wamil's testimony.
"To ask this witness to confirm, 'Did you hear Atty. Wamil say?'"
Before Kapunan could continue, Ferrer interjected.
"No, I will not ask that one," Ferrer said.
Kapunan nevertheless maintained that the defense should have directed such questions to Wamil when he was on the witness stand.
"'Did you see what he said on TV?' Your Honor, please, you can ask these questions directly from this witness, unless you want to call Atty. Wamil again to the witness stand and ask questions you did not ask before," she added.
The impeachment court proceeded with the cross-examination after the exchange between the prosecution and defense counsels.
