Sara Duterte camp: No need to question LandBank execs over 'unusual' withdrawals remark

The defense team of Vice President Sara Duterte sees no need to further question two former Landbank branch managers over their remarks that huge cash withdrawals of two government agencies under her leadership were "unusual."

Speaking to reporters on Wednesday upon the conclusion of the 10th day of Duterte's impeachment trial, defense lawyer Michael Poa said, "It wasn't really on the legal strategy side. It was more of doon naman sa naging testimonya ng witness."

(It wasn't really on the legal strategy side. It was more of on their testimonies.)

"Wala naman tayong nakitang issue doon. Wala namang questionable, wala namang damaging na nailabas ang ating witness… So, I didn't want to prolong the proceedings and, you know, be petty by asking questions pa kung hindi naman kinakailangan," he added.

(We see no issue on there. They did not issue any questionable or damaging statements. I didn't want to prolong the proceedings and, you know, be petty by asking questions if they are not needed.)

During Wednesday's proceedings, the House prosecution panel presented Violeta Constantino, former LandBank Shaw Boulevard branch manager, and Nenita Camposano, who headed the LandBank branch on Shaw Boulevard, as witnesses for Article 1 of the Articles of Impeachment against Duterte.

Constantino confirmed the OVP encashed cheques worth P500 million in the bank branch she used to manage and Camposano said the DepEd withdraw cash amounting to P112.5 million in her branch in 2023.

Both Landbank execs described the withdrawals of the two agencies as "unusual," as they responded to questions regarding the amounts transacted and how these were processed.

According to Poa, the witnesses' testimonies were their opinions as bank managers and "do not put anything at issue" on their case.

Backdoor exit

However, he questioned Camposano on her statement that former DepEd special disbursing officer Edward Fajarda exited the bank through the backdoor to avoid "negative connotation" on his actions.

"That is the opinion kasi of the bank manager based on her experience. So sa atin, kung 'yun ang opinion niya, 'yun ang opinion niya," said Poa.

(That is the opinion of the bank manager based on her experience. So for us, if that's their opinion, then that is their opinion.)

"But that doesn't change anything or that does not put anything at issue dito sa case. Kasi ang pinag-uusapan naman dito, hindi ba yung use of the funds, no? It's not the withdrawal of the funds," he added.

(But that doesn't change anything or that does not put anything at issue in our case. We're talking about the use of funds, right? Not the withdrawal.)

Article 1 of the Articles of Impeachment relate to allegations that the Duterte committed culpable violation of the 1987 Constitution, graft and corruption, and betrayal of public trust due to the misuse of P612.5 million in confidential funds. — VDV, GMA News