Proceedings in the Senate impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte are suspended after the prosecution asks to change the order of witnesses. On Thursday, prosecutors seek to present a forensic financial analyst before a Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) representative, but the defense objects to the request.
According to reports, the prosecution—through Bicol Saro party-list Rep. Terry Ridon—wants forensic expert Atty. Alexander Cabrera to testify first because the lawyer assigned to the prosecution panel, Erwin Matib, is reportedly unavailable due to health reasons. Defense counsel Sheila Sison argues that the defense prepared for the originally scheduled witness and disputes the prosecution’s last-minute move. GMA News similarly describes the defense as calling the switch attempt improper.
Outlets agree on the basic sequence: the prosecution requests the witness order change at the start of Thursday’s session, the defense raises objections, and the impeachment court suspends the proceedings while the issue is resolved. The reports differ mainly in emphasis, with some focusing on the court’s suspension and others on the defense’s “last-minute” complaint.
