THE House prosecution is bracing for “hostile” witnesses in Vice President Sara Duterte’s impeachment trial this week, with prosecutor and Bicol Saro Rep. Terry Ridon expecting former special disbursing officers Gina Acosta and Eduard Fajarda to appear before the Senate impeachment court on Wednesday.
“We’re expecting the hostile witnesses, such as Ms. Acosta and Mr. Fajarda, to be present there on Wednesday,” Ridon said at the Saturday News Forum in Quezon City.
Ridon said the prosecution expects the two witnesses to repeat the testimony they previously gave before the House Committee on Justice regarding the use of Duterte’s confidential funds.
The impeachment court is set to resume proceedings Monday, with the trial continuing on Article I of the impeachment complaint, which centers on Duterte’s alleged misuse of P612.5 million in confidential funds while she headed the Office of the Vice President and the Department of Education.
State auditor Roderick Wamil has testified on the audit and liquidation of the confidential funds and irregularities flagged by the Commission on Audit, while COA-Intelligence and Confidential Funds Audit Office Supervising Auditor Celine May Del Campo has also taken the witness stand.
Ridon said the prosecution’s witnesses, many of whom are career government personnel from investigative and accountability agencies, have remained consistent despite intense questioning by the defense and senator-judges.
“We have high regard for our witnesses because the truth is, even if they are badgered by whoever it is, by the defense or whoever it is, what matters is that they’re speaking their truth and, more importantly, they are speaking truth to power,” he said.
Ridon said the prosecution expects the same consistency from its witnesses as the trial progresses.
“They’re speaking their truth; they are not changing their statements from beginning to end. Their story is the same, their revelations are the same,” he said.
The prosecution had earlier presented National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) witnesses on Article IV, which concerns Duterte’s statement that she had contracted someone to kill President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., first lady Liza Araneta-Marcos and then-speaker Martin Romualdez if she herself were killed.
NBI Special Agent John Mark Calilung authenticated the Nov. 23, 2024 video containing Duterte’s alleged threats, while NBI-Bangsamoro Regional Director Atty. Jeremy Lotoc and NBI Director Melvin Matibag testified on the bureau’s investigation into the statements.
Ridon said the prosecution was satisfied with how its witnesses have handled questioning and expects them to maintain their accounts through the remainder of the trial.
“We are doing it on a day-to-day basis, and we are satisfied with the manner by which the witnesses have been presenting themselves,” he said. JAMES DANIEL DANIO AND JAVIER JOE ISMAEL
