MANILA — Vice President Sara Duterte's defense team did not intend to threaten anyone when one of its lawyers repeatedly raised the possible violation of bank secrecy laws during its cross examination of Anti-Money Laundering Council Executive Director Ronel Buenaventura, defense spokesperson Michael Poa.
Several senator-judges flagged defense counsel Mark Vinluan's frequent mention of possible violations of law as the defense insisted that the Vice President's bank accounts should not be opened before the public.
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"The defense did not really intend to threaten anyone or at least create a perception of threatening anyone, of course that includes the senator-judges, the witness and even the media," Poa told reporters in a chance interview.
"We regret that any senator felt that way kasi hindi naman talaga intention to threaten anyone," he said.
Poa said that he does not know if Vinluan would try to make amends in succeeding trial days.
"I think he was just reading the law and he just wanted to raise that with the witness," the spokesperson said.
"We really regret that any of the senators felt that way because that wasn't really the intention of Atty. Vinluan," he said.
Defense lawyer Atty. Mark Vinluan listens to the testimony of Anti-Money Laundering Council (AMLC) Executive Director Ronel Buenaventura during the 33rd day of the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte at the Senate of the Philippines on October 5, 2026. Maria Tan, ABS-CBN News
Senator-Judge Raffy Tulfo was among those who took offense in Vinluan's line of questioning, saying that he was "badgering" the witness.
Senator-Judge Francis Pangilinan described the move as "uncalled for."
"It's a matter of concern and I want to place that on record," he said. "If the defense wishes to raise this issue, bring it to the Supreme Court, but raising the possibility of criminal liability in this authorized disclosure in this impeachment court, I believe is uncalled for."
Senator-Judge Risa Hontiveros was especially concerned about what she noted were "indirect" threats to the media.
"Dapat po walang chilling effect na either sadyang or di sadyang lilikhain sa hanay ng fourth estate," said Hontiveros.
The impeachment court initially refused to grant the defense's request for an hour-long break to give them more time to review their notes and documents, but the tribunal later on adjourned the proceedings citing the need for the AMLC executive director to eat and rest.
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Duterte's impeachment trial will resume on October 6 at 10 a.m.