VP SARA'S CAMP QUESTIONS TIMING OF SUBPOENA RULING, SAYS IT WAS 'READY' BEFORE TRIAL

Vice President Sara Duterte's legal team said they were surprised after learning that parts of the Senate impeachment court's ruling approving subpoenas for her bank and tax records had already been prepared even before the impeachment trial formally opened on July 6.

Defense spokesperson Atty. Michael Poa said they respect the ruling read by Presiding Officer Sen. Francis "Chiz" Escudero and does not want to cast doubt on the proceedings, saying there could be several reasons why portions of the resolution had already been drafted, including the possibility that the issue had been thoroughly studied before oral arguments.

The remark came after impeachment court spokesperson Atty. Reginald Tongol disclosed that the subpoena requests were already raised during the pre-trial, and that Escudero had initially been ready to rule on them as early as July 6. However, the decision was deferred after the prosecution refiled its request and several senator-judges sought oral arguments before a final ruling was issued.

Despite expressing surprise, Poa said the defense is not raising the issue simply because the ruling went against them. He also stressed that they are prepared to face whatever documents may be produced through the subpoenas.

"Kung lumabas man yung lahat ng 'yan, handa din naman kaming harapin bawat isa sa mga dokumento na 'yan."

Poa added that the oral arguments were not a waste of time, saying both the prosecution and the defense were able to fully present their respective positions before the public. He also confirmed that the defense is studying its available legal remedies, while Vice President Duterte's petition before the Supreme Court seeking to stop the impeachment proceedings remains pending.