Tensions briefly escalated between House prosecution spokesperson Atty. Lorna Kapunan and defense counsel Atty. Kristine Ferrer during the 15th day of Vice President Sara Duterte’s impeachment trial on Wednesday, prompting Presiding Officer Senator Francis "Chiz" Escudero to call for restraint inside the courtroom.
The exchange occurred during Ferrer’s cross-examination of Commission on Audit –Intelligence and Confidential Funds Audit Office (COA-ICFAO) witness Xylene Del Campo, when Kapunan objected to the defense counsel’s insistence that the witness answer questions with a simple "yes" or "no."
Kapunan argued that not all questions could be answered in that manner and maintained that misleading questions were not permissible, even during cross-examination.
"Your Honor, not all questions can be answered by yes or no," Kapunan said.
Ferrer responded by asserting her right to pursue the line of questioning.
"I am on cross, Your Honor, please," Ferrer said.
Kapunan replied, "Never mind if you're on cross. There are limits to cross-examination. Misleading questions are not allowed on cross."
Ferrer disagreed, saying, "They are allowed."
As the exchange became increasingly heated, Escudero intervened and urged both lawyers to de-escalate the situation.
"Please, counsels, let's not allow the generational or seeming generational divide increase the tension in the courtroom. Let's keep it a notch lower," Escudero said.
Kapunan then made a lighthearted remark that drew laughter inside the impeachment court.
"Your Honor, please, I am preventing myself from giving her a spanking, Your Honor. That is what I would have done in the generational divide," she said.
Escudero immediately reminded both counsels of their professional responsibilities.
"Again, counsels, you are all members of the Bar and you are all counsels for the parties. And we will be treating and looking at each one equally," the presiding officer said.
Kapunan responded by assuring the court that she would maintain her composure.
"Yes, Your Honor. I promise to henceforth behave," she said.
The proceedings then resumed with Ferrer's cross-examination of the COA witness.
