Defense lawyer Atty. Mark Vinluan during the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte at the Senate of the Philippines on October 5, 2026. Maria Tan, ABS-CBN News/File
MANILA — Lawyer Mark Vinluan, who is part of Vice President Sara Duterte's defense panel in her impeachment case, apologized Tuesday if his questions on criminal liability against those who disclose confidential financial information conveyed a "different message," after they drew strong reactions from the senator-judges.
"It is never our intention to cause intimidation, especially to the members of this honorable impeachment court," Vinluan said early into Tuesday's proceedings.
"But if in anyway a different message was indirectly conveyed, I personally apologize and commit to be more circumspect," he said.
Vinluan said the questions, which were asked during his cross examination of Anti–Money Laundering Council Executive Director Ronel Buenaventura, were meant to test the witness' credibility and his interpretation of the Anti-Money Laundering Act.
"In all humility, our intention in cross examination is to test the credibility of the witness, among others," he said.
"Part of testing that credibility is to confront him not just with documents, but with salient provisions of the law, so that we can demonstrate whether or not his interpretation and application of the law is correct," he explained.
Vinluan issued the statement a day after several senator-judges called him out over his questioning of Buenaventura, during which he cited provisions on the possible administrative and criminal liability of those who disclose or report confidential information.
Sen. Raffy Tulfo suggested Vinluan was "badgering" the witness with his questions and was even threatening the media.
Sen. Francis Pangilinan raised concerns that the defense might also invoke criminal liability against the senator-judges, while Sen. Vicente Sotto III reminded the defense of "parliamentary immunity."
Sen. Risa Hontiveros, meanwhile, said it was wrong for the defense to indirectly threaten members of the media reporting on the proceedings.
Defense panel spokesperson Michael Poa earlier said the defense did not intend to threaten anyone with its questions about possible criminal liability.
The Senate impeachment court is examining the bank records of Duterte and her husband, lawyer Manases Carpio, in connection with allegations that Duterte amassed unexplained wealth.
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