A House prosecutor on Tuesday objected to a defense document on confidential funds under the 2023 General Appropriations Act (GAA), calling it a “scrap of paper” and questioning its authenticity during the 12th day of the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte.

Private prosecutor Atty. Lorna Kapunan said the document should not be admitted as evidence, arguing it violates the original document rule because it was presented as a mere photocopy without proper authentication.

“This document violates the original document rule. It is not even a photocopy of anything that is certified,” Kapunan told the impeachment court. She added that while a copy may be allowed in lieu of an original, it must first be properly authenticated.

“This is a scrap of paper,” she said.

“This particular document should not even be testified to because we don’t know its provenance,” the prosecution member added, while further stating that they object to the document.

Kapunan also questioned the document’s reference to the GAA, saying it was unclear which appropriation law or portion was being cited.

Defense lawyer Atty. Michael Poa countered that the exhibit shown was a certified true copy obtained from the Commission on Audit (COA), and clarified that it pertains to a portion of the 2023 GAA.

Presiding officer Sen. Francis “Chiz” Escudero said the court would rule on the admissibility of the document at a later stage.

“We will be ruling on the admissibility of these documents when the formal offer is made after the presentation of evidence by the respondents,” Escudero said.

Kapunan responded, “We submit, Your Honor.”

The exchange came as the prosecution and defense continued to clash over documentary evidence related to the alleged misuse of confidential funds, one of the key issues in the impeachment proceedings.