Retired Sandiganbayan Presiding Justice Amparo Cabotaje-Tang explained the legal framework for Article II. Her testimony laid out the test; it did not prove the allegations against Vice President Sara Duterte.
The impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte moved into Article II today, September 14, with retired Sandiganbayan Presiding Justice Amparo Cabotaje-Tang taking the witness stand. The article accuses Duterte of failing to disclose assets and business interests and of accumulating unexplained wealth. She denies the allegations.
Much of today's hearing was not yet about a specific bank account, company or property. It was about the legal terms the prosecution will use when it begins presenting records. Tang was called to explain how laws on public accountability, the Statement of Assets, Liabilities and Net Worth, and allegedly unexplained wealth are supposed to work. The defense objected to her testimony and later questioned whether she was politically biased.
That makes today's hearing important, but limited. It laid out the test. It did not settle whether the evidence against Duterte will meet that test.
LATEST COMMENTARY