The impeachment trial of Vice-President Sara Duterte-Carpio continued on Wednesday, with the defense team challenging the qualifications of the prosecution's digital forensics witness. The witness, a National Bureau of Investigation agent, had authenticated videos and digital records presented by the prosecution to support the charges against the Vice-President.
Defense lawyer Carlo Joaquin T. Narvasa scrutinized the agent's credentials, questioning the qualifications of the company that conducted his two-week digital forensics training. The company, Maxcor Inter-Ventures Co., was described as a one-stop source of different products and services for government and private institutions, rather than a specialized digital forensics training institution.
Several senator-judges also sought clarification on the witness's qualifications. Senate President Sherwin T. Gatchalian asked if Maxcor was recognized in digital forensic training and if it was an internationally renowned training organization. The defense also questioned the witness's certifications and experience in digital forensics, seeking to undermine the credibility of the prosecution's key witness.
The witness claimed that Maxcor provided trainers for digital forensics, including photo and video authentication. However, the defense remained skeptical, requesting that the witness submit his digital forensics certifications. The impeachment court granted the request, further scrutinizing the witness's qualifications.
Meanwhile, Malacañang defended the legality of the Senate's impeachment procedures, arguing that changes to the rules allowing an official other than the Senate president to preside over the trial are constitutional. Palace Press Officer Clarissa A. Castro stated that legal experts have maintained that the Constitution does not prohibit someone other than the Senate president from presiding over impeachment proceedings.
The Vice-President's camp has asked the Supreme Court to suspend the trial while it resolves a challenge to the authority of the presiding officer. However, Malacañang believes that the trial should proceed, citing the Constitution's provision for impeachment proceedings.
Party-list Rep. Antonio L. Tinio criticized the defense for relying on technicalities to avoid presenting evidence. He also pointed out that the Vice-President had skipped the trial despite appearing at the Senate on Tuesday, stating that the significance of the videos presented by the prosecution lies in their formal admission as evidence before the impeachment court.
