Atty. Michael Poa of the defense team told the press on Tuesday that Atty. Mark Vinluan apologized of his own volition and assured they were not planning on filing charges.

“That came from Atty. Vinluan himself. Nag-usap kami kaninang umaga… Sabi niya naman sa’kin, he will make the proper manifestation today. So just to clarify, hindi ko po siya in-advise doon, that really came from him,” Poa said during a press briefing.

Poa explained that Vinluan did not intend to threaten the court with criminal charges, and only sought to cite confidentiality laws.

“He wanted to sincerely apologize to the honorable court—kasama na rin ‘yung media—kung mayroong any effect na parang nagte-threaten siya kahapon. Gusto lang niya ma-clarify na hindi ‘yun ‘yung naging intensyon niya at ang intensyon lang niya talaga ay basahin kung ano ‘yung nakasulat sa batas, regarding confidentiality,” he said.

Poa assured that he and the other defense panel members did not discuss taking any legal action, as this decision lies with the concerned parties, namely, Vice President Sara Duterte and her husband, Atty. Manases Carpio.

“Wala kaming pinag-uusapan na ganoon. Definitely hindi namin napag-usapan iyan before, during, or after the presentation kahapon, at hindi rin namin napag-usapan ngayon. Obviously kasi hindi naman kami ‘yung injured parties rin ‘no. The injured parties will be the people concerned,” the defense lawyer said.

“But again, just to clear the air, as to kung magfa-file ng kaso or hindi, hindi namin pinag-uusapan sa Defense ‘yan, I think labas na rin sa Defense ‘yan sa ngayon, dahil hindi naman kami ang injured parties. But as to ‘yung nangyari kahapon, gusto lang i-clarify on the part of the defense na hindi ganoon ‘yung intensyon doon sa line of questioning ni Atty. Vinluan,” he concluded.

On Tuesday, Vinluan apologized before the Senate impeachment court after senator-judges called him out on his alleged threats against them, lawmakers, and the media.