MANILA - Members of the prosecution panel pushed back on remarks made earlier Thursday by Senator-judge Raffy Tulfo, who said the prosecution had committed lapses in judgment by presenting witnesses before the Senate impeachment court.
"Minsan, 'yung prosecution, sorry, pumapalpak-palpak kayo. There are times na naglalagay kayo ng mga witnesses dito na hindi naman kailangan talaga nagsasayang lang tayo ng oras," Tulfo said.
House prosecution spokesperson Rep. Zia Alonto Adiong, however, said he “respectfully disagree” with the senator-judge’s observation, maintaining that the prosecution had been able to establish “clear evidence” through its witnesses.
'Minsan pumapalpak kayo': Tulfo scolds prosecution over impeachment witnesses
“Although we respect the opinion of the Senator-judge Tulfo but I completely disagree with his observation…,” Adiong said.
“What is important is based on this information that we extracted from our witnesses, provided with the clear evidence, we have fulfilled and we have been able to send across the trial, to the court and to the people,” he added.
Tulfo also earlier remarked that one of the prosecutors was “nagpapa-cute lang.”
House prosecutor Rep. Terry Ridon said he respects the senator-judge but disputed the characterization.
“Kung meron poing nagpapa-cute, mas magandang pangalanan po siguro kung sino po yung nagpapa-cute. Kasi as far as we’re concerned, we’re focused on the case, we’re proud of our prosecutors.”
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Private prosecutor Kapunan, meanwhile, said the Senate should be a safe space for women.
“The Senate should be reminded that it was the Senate that passed the Safe Space Law… so we are believing that (such statement) could be a misstatement but still believing that the Senate is a safe space for women like us,” she said.
The prosecution however further maintained that they welcome and respect the side comments from the senator judges.
“We do welcome opinions, side opinions or side comments from senator-judges because eveything is taken here in a positive way,” Kapunan added.