Although the defense panel acknowledged on Tuesday that they were surprised by the early ‘decision’ on certain requests for subpoenas – specifically those seeking the bank accounts, tax records, and business documents of Vice President Sara Duterte, her husband Manases ‘Mans’ Carpio, and entities allegedly linked to them – they nonetheless affirmed their respect for the impeachment court’s resolution.
Reacting to the statement made by impeachment court spokesperson Regie Tongol who claimed that major parts of the decision on the issuance of subpoenas was already done before the start of the trial on July 6, defense counsel Michael Poa said that they take the decision as it is.
Poa, however, stressed that the senator-judges may have already studied their positions, but allowed the defense panel to present their side to the public on why they strongly object the granting of subpoenas if the decision could somehow be changed. The decision was read by presiding officer Francis ‘Chiz’ Escudero on Monday.
‘Actually, nagulat din ako nung nabasa ko ang statement based sa interview sa spokesman ng impeachment court. I don’t want to cast aspersion, maaari kasing maraming dahilan at kailangan lang ng oral argument, maaari din nung Wednesday ay may pag uusap na mahirap kasi mag speculate,’ Poa said in a press briefing before the start eight day of impeachment trial.
‘I don’t really want to read too much into it. I will be lying here if I said we are not surprised but we should not cast aspersions on the court. The court has already made a ruling,’ he said.
He added that they are prepared to answer whatever documents are presented and that they only oppose when they believe the request is overbroad.
‘That’s why we have to point that out in an oral argument,’ Poa said.
Following the decision, the defense panel on Monday said that they fully submit to the decision of the Senate sitting as an impeachment court, granting the request of the House prosecution to open the accounts of Duterte and Carpio.
‘We fully submit to the decision of the impeachment court, without prejudice to legal remedies available under the law,’ Poa said in a press briefing on Monday night after the trial adjourned, adding that they did not consider the decision as a major setback.
Following the decision, Poa said that they will consult Duterte on their legal moves but cited that they are considering filing a motion for reconsideration or going to the Supreme Court as one of their options.