Defense: Sara’s Senate presence not for intimidation

MANILA, Philippines —  The camp of Vice President Sara Duterte denied that her visit to the Senate on Tuesday was meant to intimidate senator-judges amid the ongoing impeachment trial against her.

“I think that’s so far off. I think we’re making something out of nothing. Intimidation, meaning the VP being here? No, I think we’re creating a story out of nothing. It was a meeting. I don’t think the Vice President coming here would intimidate anyone. Right?” defense spokesperson Michael Poa said during a press conference Tuesday night.

Duterte arrived at the Senate at noon to meet with her 16-member defense team and issued a statement, saying “in this bloodbath and bludgeoning, I will be bloodied but unbowed.”

She did not take questions upon the advice of her legal team to limit her comments.

Poa refused to disclose the details of the meeting between Duterte and her legal team, but noted that there are no marching orders from Duterte.

Following yesterday’s hearing, Poa claimed that the defense was able to hit all its targets and score 10 out of 10 during the cross-examination of witness John Mark Calilung from the National Bureau of Investigation.

With the commencement of the impeachment trial against Duterte, wanted fugitive Sen. Ronald dela Rosa’s “heart is bleeding that he can’t participate” due to an outstanding International Criminal Court arrest warrant, his lawyer Israelito Torreon said yesterday.

Asked about Dela Rosa’s whereabouts, Torreon said he has no idea, but added he was communicating “with his family and his staff.” –  Ghio Ong