A retired Sandiganbayan presiding justice, Amparo Cabotaje-Tang, takes the witness stand as the prosecution’s first witness in the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte. The testimony begins as the impeachment court starts proceedings on Article II, which concerns issues related to hidden or ill-gotten wealth and prohibited business or financial interests.
Cabotaje-Tang’s role and the scope of her testimony are contested by the defense. Reports say the defense objects to her being presented to discuss governing principles tied to the alleged conduct covered in Article II. The presiding officer of the impeachment court, Sen. Francis “Chiz” Escudero, overrules the objection and permits Cabotaje-Tang to testify.
Both outlets describe the same core development: Cabotaje-Tang is a former senior Sandiganbayan justice and appears in court on Sept. 14 to support the prosecution’s case in the Article II phase. Coverage differs mainly in emphasis, with one outlet also detailing her background and the specific categories of legal principles the prosecution seeks to cover through her testimony.
